Brown/cream leafhopper for ID.

[loripo]

This one landed on me whilst I was watching Frozen Planet - possibly I brought it into the flat earlier in the day.


I have browsed through various sites but can't see one with similar patterns.

[Acutipuerilis]

It's Acericerus (formerly Idiocerus) heydenii - a recent colonist and an interesting record. If you could submit the details via www.ledra.com it would be appreciated.

[loripo]

Thanks - I will do, just need to check my grid ref. I found another in the kitchen this morning and managed to get both into a small plastic container and put them out onto the window sill.

[tristanba]

These Acericus species do enter houses in the winter - I have also had this species indoors recently in north London.

[asheleaf]

is this anothe one?
swept three off leylandii type conifer

cheers, Ashe

[Jason Green]

...facial view, per-chance?

[asheleaf]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

...facial view, per-chance?

None of them are very clear. I've increased the brightness/contrast and you can just make out the ocelli I've uploaded a few more pics which hopefully will help.

thanks, Ashe

PS. there are 2 different individuals in these pics.

[Acutipuerilis]

They're both Idiocerus group, but not heydenii. The more homogeneous chestnut-coloured one looks like Rhytiotodus decimusquartus, which is not one you see very often. It appears to have the diagnostic transverse wrinkles on the pronotum and vertex.
The other one looks interesting, but is more difficult. It's got features resembling similis, but other features aren't right. The safe bet is probably an odd vitreus, I think, but normally those dark spots on the pronotum aren't there.

[asheleaf]

Originally Posted by Acutipuerilis

They're both Idiocerus group, but not heydenii. The more homogeneous chestnut-coloured one looks like Rhytiotodus decimusquartus, which is not one you see very often. It appears to have the diagnostic transverse wrinkles on the pronotum and vertex.
The other one looks interesting, but is more difficult. It's got features resembling similis, but other features aren't right. The safe bet is probably an odd vitreus, I think, but normally those dark spots on the pronotum aren't there.

thanks Joe, next time I'm up there I will try to get some better photos.

cheers, Ashe

[tristanba]

Ashe, one of your specimens is an Idiocerus rutilans female - I have found these in the winter on evergreens, and on Salix during the summer months.
The other one looks more like I. vitreus/decimusquartus, I always struggle with these in the winter, they are more easily confirmed by foodplant association.