Phylloscelis atra

The leaflike front legs ("phylloscelis") and black color ("atra") are distinctive for this insect. There is also a red-striped variety that you should look for; it is a mimic of a number of distasteful beetles of the genus Cryptocephalus that are also striped in red and black.

This bug feeds on a wild mint. You may also find another member of the same genus on the same host. Phylloscelis pallescens is brown, with lots of veins forming prominent ridges on the wings.

… Andy Hamilton, 29 August, 2005 - 8:05am

Family Dictyopharidae.

For anyone creating a guide page (please do!), this genus is in the family Dictyopharidae. Thanks, Andy, I think I have a specimen or two in my collection that had always perplexed me:-)

… Eric R. Eaton, 30 August, 2005 - 1:35pm

Thanks andy!

… Jay Barnes, 29 August, 2005 - 9:18am

contact please!

I request permission to add your excellent images of Phylloscelis atra to my collection of 600+ images of northern North American bugs. These will either be used to create a web site, or included on CD-ROM for one or more faunal guides.

I would also like to encourage you to watch for more of these fascinating insects, which feed on the same wild mint, and for the beetle that the red-striped variety mimics.

For my credentials, see http://www.canacoll.org/Hemip/Staff/Hamilton/Hamilton.htm

Andy Hamilton

… Andy Hamilton, 7 June, 2006 - 9:20am

image moved

...from ID Request to new species page. I just made up the common name based on the meaning of the scientific name. Fantastic shots, Jay! - not only of the bug but also the glassy spike-like things which I'm assuming are hairs on the leaf. They seem to have little nodes on them.

… Robin McLeod, 1 September, 2005 - 6:58pm