Macrosteles sardus

Macrosteles sardus

Description

Length 3-4mm.  Macrosteles is an extremely difficult and diverse genus.  The vertex has several dark spots or bars and the frons has dark markings;  both features are variable.  The forewings are greyish or green-yellow, often with brown longitudinal streaks, patches or stripes, but colour and amount of the darker markings varies.    Dissection of the male to examine the internal genitalia - the aedeagus - or the internal abdominal structure - sternal apodemes - is needed to identify. 

Similar Species

Other Macrosteles species.

Identification difficulty

males

Recording advice

Dissection required, male aedeagus is characteristic. 

Habitat

Associated with Great Hairy Willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum) in damp habitats. 

UK Status

Discovered in southern Britain in 2020. Appears to be spreading.

VC55 Status

Occasional, in suitable habitat

Further Information

Bloomfield, J et al (2024). Macrosteles sardus (Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae) new to Britain.  Br.J.Ent.Nat.Hist. 37 73-82

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records