Blueberry leafhopper

Description

Deltocephalinae is the largest subfamily of leafhoppers, representing 6,683 species in 923 genera. Many of these species are disease vectors, transmitting pathogens to economically important plants.

Blueberry leafhopper is common and widespread in North America east of the Rocky Mountains. It is known to occur in Minnesota, though no records of it in the state are available. It is found in forest edges, open woodlands, and shrubby areas, especially where its preferred host blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) is found. In addition to blueberry, its hosts include elm, grape, various ornamentals, and in the south, palm. In northeast North America it is an important vector of the blueberry stunt phytoplasma, a virus-like pathogen. Blueberry stunt disease (BBDS) causes shortened internodes, producing severely stunted growth. The leaves are pale (chlorotic) on the margins and between the veins. The fruit ripens late or not at all.

Adults are dark brown and ⅛″ to 3 ⁄16″ (3.75 to 4.8 mm) long. Females on average are 3 ⁄16″ (4.8 mm) long, males a little smaller, ⅛″ (4.5 mm) long. The body is flattened laterally and tapered, appearing somewhat wedge-shaped from above. The background color is brownish-yellow (clay-colored) but it is so heavily speckled with dark brown that the overall color appears to be dark brown.

The head is angular and is flattened above. There are two large compound eyes and two tiny simple eyes (ocelli). The crown of the head, the only part visible when viewed from above, is triangular, flat, and narrower than the exoskeletal plate covering the thorax (pronotum). It is moderately pointed at the tip and about 1.5 times longer than the distance between the eyes. It is dark brown overall and has several milky-white or pale markings, including a longitudinal line (midline) from the tip about one-third the length of the crown; a thin line on each side of the midline; and a broken line near each lateral margin. The face, not visible from above, is dark brown. The cheeks (genae) are broadly expanded and extend behind the compound eyes. The antennae are short and bristle-like.

The pronotum does not extend over the abdomen. It is brown to reddish-brown with milky-white margins and five milky-white longitudinal lines. The plate between the wing bases (scutellum) is large, triangular, and dark brown to orange, with a pair of milky-white lines.

There are two pairs of wings, and they are held tent-like, almost vertically over the body when at rest. The forewings (hemelytra) are thickened, are longer than the body, and completely cover the sides of the body. On the female, the ovipositor extends beyond the wingtips. The hemelytra are comprised of a narrow area (clavus) behind the scutellum when the hemelytra are closed; and the remaining, broad, marginal area (corium). They are dark brown overall with numerous milky-white spots that are well-defined and at least partially bordered with dark brown. The leading margin of each hemelytron is milky-white and crossed by several bold dark lines. The tip is broadly rounded and has a black band and a white margin. The hindwings are thin, membranous, a little shorter than the hemelytra, and concealed beneath the hemelytra.

The legs are yellow. The fourth segment (tibia) of each hind leg has two rows of comb-like spines. The last part of the leg (tarsus), corresponding to a foot, has three segments.

Size

Total length: ⅛″ to 3 ⁄16″ (3.75 to 4.8 mm)

Male: average ⅛″ (4.5 mm)

Female: average 3 ⁄16″ (4.8 mm)

Similar Species

Sharp-nosed leafhopper (Scaphytopius acutus) is darker overall and has a yellowish face.

Habitat

Forest edges, open woodlands, and shrubby areas

Ecology

Season

Two generations: April to September (North Carolina)

Behavior

Life Cycle

Nymph Food

Same as adult

Adult Food

Plant juices from the leaves of blueberry, elm, grape, and various ornamentals