Froghopper ID

[Lester]

~5mm Long, presumably Philaenus sp, is this P. spumarius (so variable)?

[Jason Green]

From memory, something around the Idiocerus area. A facial-view and the name of what you found it on will be helpful.

[tristanba]

I've just put a comment on the photo - it is a leafhopper in the genus Idiocerus, either I. vittifrons or I. ribauti. As Jason says, as view of the face is often useful.

[Lester]

Thanks so much for looking and helping.

Here is the requested face on view.



Unfortunately it was found in the house on the windowsill by the traditional method of my wife shouting, "monster!"; so no useful info there.

[Jason Green]

Good shot, but over to Tristan for the analysis.

[tristanba]

Actually, it is a female Idiocerus heydenii, which is a recent arrival on Sycamore. See:
Idiocerus heydenii (f) | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

These three maple feeeding Idiocerus species (vittifrons, ribauti and heydenii) are now better placed in the genus Acericerus. Females do overwinter and are attracted to light, hence their appearance in houses.

There are very few records of A. heydenii so far and it has been found mainly in the London area - where did you see this? The record would be much appreciated by the Auchenorrhyncha Recording Scheme for Britain & Ireland.

Tristan

[Lester]

Thanks Tristan, so an invasive species then?

We are in North Hampshire.

I sent a record off to the suggested site, they don't make it easy as the supplied email address bounces!

A quick search for Dr Alan J.A. Stewart at the University of Sussex turned up an email addresses so I pinged it there, didn't seem to bounce this time.