Red bug with yellow eyes

[Bruce Williams]

Stony Stratford, Bucks.

Help with identification appreciated.



Similar to my earlier posting of a female Idiocerus stigmaticalis. See this thread: http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fo...w-abdomen.html - but note that the wing-tip cells do not show the same alignment with this specimen.

This is the pic from that thread:



Bruce

[Wild-Woman]

Can't help with the id Bruce but as usual the shots are superb. I think it's just embarrassed.

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks Jules.

Embarrassed - Yes maybe it's the first time it's had it's photo taken?

Bruce

[tristanba]

The shots are indeed superb! You're quite right it's another Idiocerus, also a female - the gonoplac at the end of the abdomen is clear in the middle image.

Sadly I can't go any further with real confidence - a difficult genus and there are known problems with the key. I think this is most likely to be I. confusus or I. populi. It's rather similar to this one, which is also unresolved: Idiocerus sp (m) on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Joe may be able to have a better stab at this one.
Cheers
Tristan

[Acutipuerilis]

My shiny new German book says this is confusus - there are no really clinching diagnostic features, but a combination of things; the shape of the appendix and vertex; and, believe it or not, that the antennae bend inwards rather than outwards in front view! I believe that one, oh yes...

Joe

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks Tristan . So is the pink/red colouration due to this individual being "teneral" (from your Flickr link)?

Thanks for your help Joe . I did some Googling on I. confusus and can certainly see the similarity. Could you explain which bits are the appendix and vertex please.

Bruce

[tristanba]

Originally Posted by Bruce Williams

Thanks Tristan . So is the pink/red colouration due to this individual being "teneral" (from your Flickr link)?

Thanks for your help Joe . I did some Googling on I. confusus and can certainly see the similarity. Could you explain which bits are the appendix and vertex please.

Bruce

It might be a teneral, but the colour could equally just be variation. I. confusus is generally a green species. In many of these Idiocerus hoppers, the colouration is fugitive, and fades rapidly post mortem.

The vertex refers to the area between the eyes (when viewed from above) - the appendix is the section at the end of the forewings which lacks venation (this is lacking in many leafhopper species).

Cheers
Tristan

[Bruce Williams]

Tristan - Thanks for the added information.

Bruce

[gess]

Bruce!!!!! where do you find them, lend me your eyes!!!!
I love the first one, front on.... can't help but say it I think its cute!

Great pics as usual..

Gess

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks for your kind comments Gess - much appreciated.

Oh yes I should have mentioned that the adjacent field contains quite a number of mature white willows. There are also crack willow and alder along the river bank (Great Ouse) and a large mature lime tree close by.

Bruce