[ID] Eupteryx florida - and story

Jason Green · #1 (**permalink**) 01-10-2009, 02:32 PM

Hi all,

The other day I was looking through images of different Plant Hoppers on that site, and came across Eupteryx florida. I thought it was a nice-looking one and would be good to add to my sightings of Eupteryx spp. to go with E. mellisae, decemnotata and urticae but didn't think much more of it. Anyway, later in the day I was outside and happened to look at a diseased Bindweed leaf. Guess what was on the leaf? Yes, my first-ever E. florida - it's not even a stated foodplant! Can someone confirm it please...

25/09/2009

The images could have been a lot better, but the light was more owing to a cloudy sky. High ISO, etc.

Thanks for looking!

Take care,

Jason

Acutipuerilis · #2 (**permalink**) 01-10-2009, 07:40 PM

Yep, florida it is well done! :-)

Nice story too - I reckon it was stalking you. It does have a habit of turning up in strange places... I found them on the shore of a sea loch in the West Highlands last December, and they're not even meant to be Scottish.

All the Eupteryx species are gorgeous, though - look out for the smaller E. vittata and E. notata too. If you've got nettles growing somewhere really wet (or northern), check very carefully for E. cyclops - I've not seen it yet, but it's supposed to be pretty common.

Jason Green · #3 (**permalink**) 01-10-2009, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acutipuerilis

Yep, florida it is well done! :-)

Thanks for confirming Joe!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acutipuerilis

All the Eupteryx species are gorgeous, though - look out for the smaller E. vittata and E. notata too. If you've got nettles growing somewhere really wet (or northern), check very carefully for E. cyclops - I've not seen it yet, but it's supposed to be pretty common.

When do these Eupteryx spp. start to tail off/enter hibernation, then - do I have enough time? I have a few nettle patches nearby, I'll have a look.

JRsbugs · #4 (**permalink**) 01-10-2009, 08:41 PM

Nice find Jason! I'm not sure if I have had that one as my old pics are either lost or on a DVD. I have had Eupteryx aurata this year.

coopder · #5 (**permalink**) 01-10-2009, 08:44 PM

They're really beautiful little things, I didn't know that there were so many species.

I found this one which I believe to be a Eupteryx aurata last month.

Regards,

Daniel.

tristanba · #6 (**permalink**) 01-10-2009, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Green

When do these Eupteryx spp. start to tail off/enter hibernation, then - do I have enough time? I have a few nettle patches nearby, I'll have a look.

Some do go right through the winter, for example species feeding on sage. I have had melissae and decemotata in the winter on this fp