Bugs

Leafhoppers, planthoppers and allies (Auchenorrhyncha)

The Auchenorrhyncha are split in two sections: Cicadomorpha include froghoppers (Aphrophoridae and Cercopidae), leafhoppers (Cicadellidae), treehoppers (Membracidae) and cicadas (Cicadidae); Fulgoromorpha are the planthoppers (Delphacidae, Tettigometridae and Issidae) and lacehoppers (Cixiidae).   Unlike the Heteroptera, the forewings are not divided into two parts, but may be hardened or membraneous.  Coloration and extent of markings can be very variable, especially on the vertex and frons ('nose' and face) and the pronotum and scutellum.  Leafhoppers, planthoppers and froghoppers can jump strongly, using powerful hindlegs.  Many species have short- and long-winged forms (brachypterous and macropterous); long-winged individuals can fly and may travel long distances, allowing dispersal and colonisation of new areas.    They do not have a pupal stage in ther lifecycle; the immature forms or nymphs pass through several instars, each increasing in size and adult characters before becoming adults. 

They feed exclusively on plant sap, using their sucking mouthparts.  Many species feed on a specific plant species, or a narrow range of hosts.  This can help identification and with targetting surveys, and it is recommended that the host plant is always noted in your record.   Feeding in the UK can cause minor damage to plants - the characteristic stippling of leaves of roses, for example - but they can be serious economic pests in other countries.   

Many species show sexual dimorphism - the males and females are different in size and coloration.  Identification of some species can be very difficult, often involving dissection of the male to examine the internal genitalia - the aedeagus and parameres. The 'aedeagus' is a chitinious structure, often of very complex shape, analogous to the penis in mammals.  The 'parameres' are also known as the anal styles or claspers.  Females are often more difficult to identify, and are sometimes impossible.  

Recommended resources:

• More information on ecology, life-cycles etc. and current UK checklist (2021) can be found at https://www.ledra.co.uk/index.html, the website of the Auchenorrhyncha Recording Scheme for Britain and Ireland. 
• British Bugs website has a photo gallery, but note that not all UK speces are shown - and not all can be identified from field photos.  The UK checklist (2021) can aso be found here.
• True Hoppers WP has illustrations of hoppers from the Western Palaearctic, including many British species.
• Biedermann,R. and Niedringhaus,R. (2009): The Plant- and Leafhoppers of Germany - Identification Key to all species (WABV).  The English translation of this comprehensive book is essential for serious recording.  It has detailed drawings of the majority of British species, showing diagnostic features including male and female genitalia. 
• Wilson et al (2015): The Plant- and Leafhoppers of Britain and Ireland - Identification keys to all families and genera and all British and Irish species not recorded from Germany. (WABV). This incudes the few UK species not in Biedermann and Niedringhaus.
• Kunz et al (2011): Fotoatlas der Zikaden Deutschlands (WABV).  Not translated from German but includes photographs of the species in Biedermann & Niedringhaus. 
• Le Quesne's RES Handbooks: Fulgoromorpha (1960); Cicadamorpha, excl. Typhlocybinae and Deltocephalinae (1965); Deltocephalinae (1969); and Typhlocybinae (1981 - with K R Payne). This series of 4 Royal Entomological Society publications on Auchenorrhyncha is available to download from the RES website or can be found second-hand.  These have detailed keys to species, but be aware that taxonomy may not be up-to-date, and some recent changes or additions to the UK fauna are not included.  Typhlocybinae includes the UK checklist at the time; this has now been updated - see Ledra or British Bugs websites (links above). 

Cicadellidae - leafhoppers (Macropsinae)

The sub-family Macropsinae has a number of similar but very variable species; identification and verification of records is difficult.  . Dissection of males may not be helpful because the internal structures can be very similar.  Careful examination of external characteristics backed up by detailed photos taken from top, side and front is needed.  Always record host plant, size of leafhopper, and whether male or female.    The two main genera - Macropsis and Oncopsis - can be separated by the striations on the pronotum; good quality photos and lighting are needed to see these. Macropsis striations are oblique to the rear margin of the pronotum; Oncopsis striations are parallel. 

Oncopsis are associated with various trees and shrubs.  Oncopsis tristis, flavicollis and subangulata are associated with Birch; Oncopsis avellanae with Hazel, Oncopsis carpini with Hornbeam and Oncopsis alni with Alder. Males and females often have very different colouration. Markings on the face are usually an important means of identification.  Dissection of the male or details of the ovipositor and the 7th abdominal sternum of the female can also help. 

Macropsis are usually assocated with trees and shrubs, including willows, poplars and brambles. The host plant may be a useful guide to species. Some species are extremely variable in colour and pattern, and identification is very difficult; the keys in Le Quesne's Cicadomorpha (1965) should be followed, plus the illustrations of varietal forms in Biedermann and Niedringhaus (2009).  Many species are greyish, brownish or reddish-brown in colour, but some species can be a bright green; another common form of some species has a striking black vertex and pronotum with a central white streak. The colour of the forewings veins, banding or bars on the wings, shape of vertex and face, and patterns on face and vertex and scutelleum are key features.  Aedeagus of the male are all similar, but may be used to identify some species, with care.