Small hopper for ID

loripo · #1 (**permalink**) 29-10-2011, 08:39 PM

About 3mm - looked more green against the sage leaves, one of a group of at least 20 spread over the plant. They appear to be adults.

Jason Green · #2 (**permalink**) 29-10-2011, 09:01 PM

One of the Eupteryx species, probably mellisae.

loripo · #3 (**permalink**) 30-10-2011, 07:55 AM

Thanks Jason

tristanba · #4 (**permalink**) 30-10-2011, 04:33 PM

As Jason says, most likely mellisae, but decemnotata is also a possibility on sage, particularly in the London area

loripo · #5 (**permalink**) 30-10-2011, 05:17 PM

a slightly better photo from today (in the hope it will be useful for ID)

(Realised I missed out the image on the first post - whish is this one...)

tristanba · #6 (**permalink**) 30-10-2011, 05:37 PM

Certainly E. decemnotata - separated from melissae by the different arrangement of dark markings on the vertex (also slightly smaller). This is a relatively recent arrival in the UK, first recorded around 10 years ago. In Britain it is almost always on sage.

Acutipuerilis · #7 (**permalink**) 31-10-2011, 12:47 AM

...although I've also seen it on Lavender (Hereford) and Mallow (West Yorks), just to be awkward. It seems to have spread a lot further than expected in a relatively short time, but I don't think many people have had their eyes peeled for it.

loripo · #8 (**permalink**) 31-10-2011, 08:10 AM

It is really small. Some were only about 2mm. I have been checking out this particular plant as I've seen Rosemary beetles there and was looking for their larvae when I saw the hoppers - possibly more noticable because there were so many.

tristanba · #9 (**permalink**) 31-10-2011, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acutipuerilis

...although I've also seen it on Lavender (Hereford) and Mallow (West Yorks), just to be awkward. It seems to have spread a lot further than expected in a relatively short time, but I don't think many people have had their eyes peeled for it.

Yes - I've had it on mint too (north London)