Eupteryx melissae (Sage Leafhopper)

Nepeta sp.

Last update: 29 December 2018


Uncommon

LOCATION:
SAMPLE:
2015-XI-092015-XI-082015-X-23


In the course of collecting caterpillar specimen on Catmint plants (Nepata spec.) some small and colorfull cicadae were collected as well. They are Leafhoppers (Cicadellidae) to be exact.

Using some sources1, 2, 3 the name of the species is found to be: Eupteryx melissae.

The insects are approximately 3 mm in size.

Sage Leafhopper (Eupteryx melissae)
Sage Leafhopper (Eupteryx melissae)

Besides adults there were a number of nymphs roaming the leaves. Based on the wing development4 it can be derived that these are instars 4 and 5. The nymphs have a white color but when they’ve just moulted they are yellow.

The photo’s below are sorted on instar, and it mentioned when the same specimen is depicted.

Freshly moulted nymph Sage Leafhopper (Eupteryx melissae), instar 4
Freshly moulted nymph Sage Leafhopper (Eupteryx melissae), instar 4
Nymph Sage Leafhopper (Eupteryx melissae), instar 5
Nymph Sage Leafhopper (Eupteryx melissae), instar 5
Nymph Sage Leafhopper (Eupteryx melissae), instar 5
(same specimen as previous photo)
Fresh nymph Sage Leafhopper (Eupteryx melissae), instar 5
Nymph Sage Leafhopper (Eupteryx melissae), instar 5
Nymph Sage Leafhopper (Eupteryx melissae), instar 5
Nymph Sage Leafhopper (Eupteryx melissae), instar 5
Nymph Sage Leafhopper (Eupteryx melissae), instar 5
Moult Sage Leafhopper (Eupteryx melissae), instar 5
Freshly moulted adult Sage Leafhopper (Eupteryx melissae)
Top view freshly moulted adult Sage Leafhopper (Eupteryx melissae)
(same specimen as previous photo)
Moulted adult Sage Leafhopper (Eupteryx melissae) start to gain its color
(same specimen as previous photo)

References

1 British bugs, An online identification guide to UK Hemiptera

2 Nederlands Soortenregister

3 Texasinvasives.org

4 ALAN J. A. STEWART, "Descriptions and key to the nymphs of Eupteryx (Curtis) leafhoppers (Hornoptera: Cicadellidae) occurring in Britain", Department of Zoology, University College, Cardiff