The exhausta group is proposed for a supposedly monophyletic group of eight species of the cicada genus Baeturia Stal, 1866. Three species (B. bicolorata Distant, B. exhausta Guérin Méneville, and B. vanderhammeni Blöte) are redescribed and five species B. colossea, B. maai, B. rossi, B. versicolor, and B. wauensis) are described as new. A neotype is designated for B. exhausta and the male of B. bicolorata is described for the first time. The synonymy of B. exhausta to Cicada hastipennis Walker and Dundubia parabola Walker is discussed and Cicada parallela Walker is added as a new synonym to this species. A key to the males is provided. The monophyly of the exhausta group and its phylogenetic position within the genus Baeturia are discussed. The exhausta group is distributed in Timor, the greater part of Maluku, and in New Guinea with exception of its central mountain ranges. Maps of distribution are presented.