Relatively small, distinct sharply defined dark cross bands on tegmina usually don't cross top as seen when folded. Wints relatively narrow, transparent yellow, usually with a greenish tinge, and with dark band narrow and curving. Often with dark cloudy colorint near tip of wing. Face with a "mask" created by blackish lines crossing face. Hind tibiae blue, pale at base, often with a darker ring near the base. Usually found in open conifer woodland and forest, or at least near trees, usually in grassy patches under or between trees. Produces a not too loud, usually interrupted, buzzing sound in flight. T. fontana and T. koebelei are probably merely regional variants or subspecies of T. cincta and differ only in coloration.

T. koebelei is distinguished from T. cincta only by its more western distribution, from southern Washington through California. However, it does average lighter and more strongly contrasting in coloring. It is probably the same species, but is currently usually treated as distinct.

T. fontana differs in lacking the "mask" across the face (usually), averaging less contrasting in coloration, and in occuring primarily further west. T. fontana and T. cincta intergrade freely where their ranges overlap, and many individuals in these areas are not clearly one nor the other.

Conozoa species may look similar, but usually occur in different habitats, hind tibia color varies, but may be orange or red (not orange or red in T. cincta), and usually have the rear lower angles of the pronotum projecting downward to a corner or toothed (rounded in T. cincta). Usually the dark tegminal bands are limited to the coastal half or less (when folded - the lower edge); normally more than half in T. cincta.