Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Homalodisca coagulata (Say 1832)
Explanation of Names
Homalodisca vitripennis (Germar 1821)
vitripennis = 'glassy wing'
Identification
Flattened head and "glassy" wing patches, and head with pale spots on dark ground. Separated from the smoke-tree sharpshooter as shown
here.
Range
s. US (TX-FL-VA, AR) & Mex.
(1), introduced in sw. US (CA-AZ) (BG data)
Remarks
A major vector of Pierce's disease on grape. Usually not a serious pest within its native range, southeastern US. This species was accidentally introduced into so. California in the early 1990s, probably with ornamental or agricultural stock. There, it has become a serious threat to viticulture.
(2)
The biggest problem is that it can spread the disease-causing bacterium Xylella fastidiosa.
The most important biocontrols are egg-parasite wasps in the genus Gonatocerus. Spiders, assassin bugs, and praying mantis prey on the mobile forms.
See Also
Homalodisca liturata. Its is covered with wavy, light-colored lines, rather than spots.
Print References
Takiya D.M., McKamey S.H., Cavichiloi R.R. (2006) Validity of
Homalodisca and of
H. vitripennis as the name for glassy-winged sharpshooter (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Cicadellinae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America 99: 648-655 (
Full text)
