Species Graphocephala versuta - Versute Sharpshooter

Graphocephala versuta (Say 1830)

~6 mm (generally smaller than other common congeners except G. coccinea)

typical form: forewings green with several black tooth-like markings at apex (a diagnostic feature); pale blue stripe (sometimes bordered on both sides by an orange stripe) runs diagonally from anal angle to base of costa, continuing along margin of pronotum to front of head; scutellum yellow with several thin black lines; pronotum green; top of head light brown or orangish with pale blue stripe along midline; hindwings dark reddish-brown; abdomen yellow; metathorax black

another form has mostly blue forewings with red diagonal stripes; colors in prepared specimens often fade

e. US (NY-FL to IL-TX) & CA to Costa Rica - Map (1)(2)

most of the year in the south; warmer months in the north

leaves of blackberry, grape, honeysuckle, privet (Ligustrum spp.), cherry and various other deciduous trees

up to four generations per year; overwinters as an adult

Some individuals may be vectors of the bacterium (Xylella fastidiosa) that causes Pierce's Disease in grapes, and Bacterial Leaf Scorch in a variety of deciduous trees.

Genetic information shows that this species is not closely related to the other "candy-stripe" leafhoppers in the U.S. and Canada. It morphologically shares affinities most close to the neotropical genus Isogonalia and may in fact belong within that genus.

Graphogonalia evagorata Young - similar to the nearly all green form of Graphocephala versuta, but has a prominent lateral line through the eyes

- Range: southmost TX to Panama