Green and blue leafhopper with red eye

[Bruce Williams]

Stockgrove Country Park, Beds. 26th December 2009.

On fence separating coniferous planting and meadows. Help with identification appreciated.



Bruce

[Jason Green]

Evening Bruce,

It looks like Empoasca vitis to me, but Joe or Tristan will confirm

Take care,

Jason

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks Jason. You know when there's a large choice of subject I'm often tempted to overlook these more "common" looking species, however when seen up close they can be surprisingly attractive.

Bruce

[Acutipuerilis]

Yep., E. vitis it is. I know exactly what you mean, Bruce - even the ones with just one colour can be very attractive little creatures. It's a shame so many need to be dissected to identify them, but this one with the clear streak down the wing is pretty distinctive.

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks for the confirmation Joe.

Bruce

[JRsbugs]

Funnily I also got a pic of one of these on the 26th! Mine wasn't posing so nicely on a fence though (great shot!), it was huddled on a green leaf in my greenhouse, but just near enough to the door for me to get it (no foot space)

Janet

[Bruce Williams]

Janet - Now why am I not surprised to hear you shot the same species on the same day . I'd be interested to see your pic(s) as there's bound to be some variation in markings etc.

Bruce

[JRsbugs]

Lol, I think we are running a parallel universe.

Not the best shot but it wasn't worth trying to get better as I would have fallen and broken (more) glass, or scared it off. The wind blew some glass out years ago so it has openings both ends.

[Acutipuerilis]

This is the other one, Janet - E. decipiens. Note it's not got the unpigmented streak down the forewing.

Both these species are very common, and among the most frequently found. There is a third as well, but appears to be very rare - and E. pteridis is unfortunately only separable from decipiens by dissecting a male!

[JRsbugs]

Yes you'r right Joe, in fact it's the one I already have pics of but don't have E. vitis pics! I didn't check it, too many bugs in my head at the moment.