Unidentified leafhopper

[Bruce Williams]

Northants garden. Size: 2.75mm.

Interesting (and frustrating) optical effect - for some reason the colour and markings on this leafhopper made it very difficult to determine the exact point of critical focus - it never seemed pin sharp in the viewfinder.

Help with identification appreciated.



Bruce

[tristanba]

undoubtedly Eupteryx decemnotata - usually found on sage in UK but found widely on other plants on the continent. The vertex markings may fuse but are distinctive

[Acutipuerilis]

In that case, you've done remarkably well, Bruce! I know what you mean, though - sometimes they just don't seem to come into proper focus, no matter what you do.

It's Eupteryx decemnotata, by the way - the six separate marks on the vertex are enough to separate it from things like melissae.

EDIT: Snap! Oh, alright, you were one minute quicker... but I blame it on using fewer words!

[tristanba]

What plant was it on Bruce? I have found these on garden mint as well as sage. I wonder how widespread this species is now, certainly it must be found well outside the south-east.

I also know what you mean about getting things in critical focus, think I need a new pair of glasses actually, getting very scratched

Cheers
Tristan

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks Tristan and Joe - your expertise appreciated as always. Tristan, I'm pretty sure it was on a French Lavender - I'll check again tomorrow - you never know I might be lucky.

....there is also a sage quite close by.

Bruce

[Acutipuerilis]

I've definitely had this in Hereford, and I'm pretty sure I've seen it up in Yorks as well (although can't now remember quite where ) - in other words, it's certainly getting pretty widespread. The Hereford one was on Lavender, so it does go for things other than sage in the UK too.