Species Cuerna costalis

Classification · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Food · Life Cycle · Remarks · See Also · Internet References

Looks to be something in Cuerna... - Cuerna costalis

Leafhopper 2 - 6-10-09 - Cuerna costalis

Cuerna costalis (Fabricius) - Cuerna costalis

Cuerna in Cicadellidae? - Cuerna costalis

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)

Suborder Auchenorrhyncha (Free-living Hemipterans)

Superfamily Cicadoidea

Family Cicadellidae (Leafhoppers)

Subfamily Cicadellinae (Sharpshooters)

Tribe Proconiini

Genus Cuerna

Species costalis (Cuerna costalis)

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

formerly Cuerna lateralis and still listed as such on several web sites

Size

body about 8-9 mm

Identification

Black and red with longitudinal stripes on forewing; a conspicuous white stripe runs from the eye along the side of the abdomen; tip of abdomen has red spot (a distinguishing feature). Also, according to Andy Hamilton (here), this is the only species in the genus with red on its legs.

Range

most common in southeastern US; known range includes AL AR FL GA IN IA KS LA MD MS MO NE NM NY NC OH OK SC TN TX VA WV

Habitat

fields, meadows

Food

nymphs and adults feed mostly on grasses

Life Cycle

normally two generations per year; overwinters as an adult under matted grass in fields

Remarks

Although this U. of Arkansas site says the range of C. costalis includes southern Ontario, the species name is not on Ontario's NHIC site, and is not listed by the US Dept. of Agriculture as occurring anywhere in Canada.

See Also

C. striata is virtually identical except for the lack of red on the tip of the abdomen, and it has a more northern distribution (northern US and Canada)

Internet References

live adult image showing the red at the tip of the abdomen (U. of Florida)

live adult image (Charles Lewallen, Oklahoma)

live adult image (Susan Ellis, Alabama)

distribution and synonyms of Cuerna species (Systematic Entomology Laboratory, US Dept. Agriculture)

video of live nymph anointing itself with liquid secretion (U. of Illinois)

Contributed by Robin McLeod on 4 May, 2005 - 10:01am
Additional contributions by KenW
Last updated 30 May, 2011 - 3:42pm

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