Common Brown Leafhopper

Orosius argentatus

Family: - Cicadellidae

Formerly Jassidae

Order: - Hemiptera

Description:

Adult

Colour - Usually brown

Body - Up to 4mm. Oval shaped.

Wings - 2 Pairs, both used in flight. Held in a tent like position when at rest. Coupled. Adults can fly. Wing-span 4mm

Mouthparts - Stylet. Sucking. Near rear of head.

Antennae - 3-10 segments.

Eyes - 2 Compound and 2 simple.

Legs - Adapted for jumping. Feet (Tarsi) have 4 segments.

Head - Broad. Wedge shaped

Thorax - 3 segments.

Abdomen - Eight pairs of spiracles on underside.

Egg - ovoid.

Habits - Can't fly when cold. Suck sap from plants. Jump or hop when disturbed and move to the far side of branches or leaves. Often gregarious or in colonies.

Nymphs

Similar to adults. Usually 5 stages (instars). Often have no simple eyes (ocelli).

Biology:

Life Cycle:

Eggs hatch to produce nymphs that look and behave similarly to the adult.

Habitats:

Origin and History:

Distribution:

Significance:

Loss of sap results in wilting, stunting die back and distortion. Sooty mould may grow on honey dew after heavy infestations. Spreads plant mycoplasma diseases. Feed on xylem or phloem.

Management and Control:

Epidemics often controlled by hot or cold weather. Contact sprays and trunk injection of pesticides are often used.

Related Species:

Aphids, Lerps, various 'bugs' leafhoppers and scales.

Similar Species:

References:

CSIRO. The Insects of Australia. Melbourne University Press. (1991) P471f30.33d, 472.

Acknowledgments:

Collated by HerbiGuide. Phone 08 98444064 for more information.