Red-streaked Leafhopper
Balclutha rubrostriata
This record describes Balclutha rubrostriata (species). Recorded family: Cicadellidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
The darkness of the red is variable: Earliest US record per Zahniser et al. (2011) is a specimen in the INHS Insect Collection with the following label data: Texas: Kleberg Co. Kingsville 4.VI.1971 col. J.E. Gillaspy at light First known records from central TX were collected in 2005 from Hays and Travis Counties. ( 3 )
Identification notes
The darkness of the red is variable:
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)
- Suborder
- Auchenorrhyncha
- Superfamily
- Membracoidea
- Family
- Cicadellidae (Typical Leafhoppers)
- Subfamily
- Deltocephalinae
- Tribe
- Macrostelini
- Genus
- Balclutha
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
15,000+ spmns found along R.O.W. in San Antonio, Bexar Co., a site dominated by King Ranch bluestem ( Bothriochloa ischaemum ). (Zahniser et al. 2011)
Geographic Range
e. US / ne. Mex - Map , Native to and widespread in the Old World tropics, introduced to the West Indies, Hawaii, and the US first known state records by year-month: 1971-04 - Texas: Kleberg Co., Kingsville (coastal s. TX) 1990-04 - Florida: Monroe Co., Upper Key Largo, 3 specimens collected 28 April 1990 (Zahniser et al. 2011); apparently this small(?) population failed to establish. 2012-11 - Louisiana: Rapides Parish (Morgan et al. 2013) 2012-12 - Oklahoma: Mayes Co., Pryor (BG data) 2016-10 - Tennessee: Madison Co., Beech Bluff (BG data) ( apparently established in TN ) 2016-10 - Wisconsin: Dane Co., Cross Plains (BG data) 2017-10 - Iowa: Winneshiek Co., 100 Acre Wood (BG data) 2017-10 - Pennsylvania: Allegheny Co., Allison Park (BG data) 2017-11 - Indiana: Marion Co., Indianapolis (BG data) 2020-11 - Ontario (!): Wellington Co., Guelph/Eramosa (BG data)
Seasonal Activity
mostly Oct-Dec Zahniser et al. ran a malaise trap near Driftwood, Hays Co. in central Texas from January 31, 2006 to August 13, 2006. Samples were collected approx. once every two wks: Jan 31 to Feb 11 - Present Feb 12 to May 28 - Absent May 29 to July 4 - Present July 5 to Aug 4, 2006 - Abundant Aug 5 to Aug 13 - Present Over 15,000 leafhoppers of this species (85% of all invertebrates surveyed) were collected betw. Sept 29 and Oct 19, 2008 on the west side of San Antonio, Bexar Co., Texas . Collection methods included sweep netting, blacklighting and a Malaise trap that ran for 14 days. (The site was a ~500 meter long strip immediately adjacent to Loop 1604, north of US Hwy 90.) (Zahniser et al. 2011) all records n. of Texas recorded in Oct-Dec (BG data); summer outbreaks in Texas along highways where KR bluestem proliferates, and at times dominates, may facilitates the leafhopper's dispersal to northern states, but see Ghauri for other potential dispersal mechanisms.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: closely asso. w/ King Ranch bluestem ( Bothriochloa ischaemum ) (Zahniser et al. 2011) when sampling on KR Bluestem ( Bothriochloa ischaemum ; Poaceae), B. rubrostriata was always present along the Texas Gulf coast, but note Morgan et al. (2013) observed no deleterious effects on the invasive grass even when the leafhopper made up 85% of the insects collected from that grass.
Life History
B. rubrostriata (Melichar) was among 12 leafhopper species in Thailand which was detected to carry the phytoplasma associated with sugarcane white leaf disease. (Hanboonsong et al. 2006)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Balclutha rubrostriata (Melichar 1903)
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Balclutha rubrostriata. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hemiptera (true bugs) includes over 80,000 described species across cicadas, aphids, leafhoppers, shield bugs, and bed bugs. Aphids alone cost global agriculture an estimated $2.5 billion annually in crop losses.
Ecological role of the group
Many Hemiptera are essential food sources for birds and predatory insects. Cicadas provide massive nutrient pulses during emergence events - a single Brood X emergence can involve trillions of individuals across 15 states.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) caused $37 million in apple crop losses in a single year in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region. Bed bug infestations in the U.S. increased by 500% between 2001-2010, costing the hotel industry hundreds of millions annually.
Recorded sources for this group: USDA, EPA, University research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Red-streaked Leafhopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn , John Schneider , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Red-streaked Leafhopper
What is Red-streaked Leafhopper?
Red-streaked Leafhopper (Balclutha rubrostriata) is a species in the family Cicadellidae, within the order Hemiptera.
How big is Red-streaked Leafhopper?
4.2 mm [specimen illustrated in Zahniser et al. (2011)]
How do you identify Red-streaked Leafhopper?
The darkness of the red is variable:
Where is Red-streaked Leafhopper found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | 15,000+ spmns found along R.O.W. in San Antonio, Bexar Co., a site dominated by King Ranch bluestem ( Bothriochloa ischaemum ). (Zahniser et al. 2011) |
| Range | e. US / ne. Mex - Map , Native to and widespread in the Old World tropics, introduced to the West Indies, Hawaii, and the US first known state records by year-month: 1971-04 - Texas: Kleberg Co., Kingsville (coastal s. TX) 1990-04 - Florida: Monroe Co., Upper Key Largo, 3 specimens collected 28 April 1990 (Zahniser et al. 2011); apparently this small(?) population failed to establish. 2012-11 - Louisiana: Rapides Parish (Morgan et al. 2013) 2012-12 - Oklahoma: Mayes Co., Pryor (BG data) 2016-10 - Tennessee: Madison Co., Beech Bluff (BG data) ( apparently established in TN ) 2016-10 - Wisconsin: Dane Co., Cross Plains (BG data) 2017-10 - Iowa: Winneshiek Co., 100 Acre Wood (BG data) 2017-10 - Pennsylvania: Allegheny Co., Allison Park (BG data) 2017-11 - Indiana: Marion Co., Indianapolis (BG data) 2020-11 - Ontario (!): Wellington Co., Guelph/Eramosa (BG data) |
What does Red-streaked Leafhopper eat?
The diet of the Red-streaked Leafhopper includes closely asso. w/ King Ranch bluestem ( Bothriochloa ischaemum ) (Zahniser et al. 2011) when sampling on KR Bluestem ( Bothriochloa ischaemum ; Poaceae), B. rubrostriata was always present along the Texas Gulf coast, but note Morgan et al. (2013) observed no deleterious effects on the invasive grass even when the leafhopper made up 85% of the insects collected from that grass..
When is Red-streaked Leafhopper active?
Red-streaked Leafhopper: seasonal activity - mostly Oct-Dec Zahniser et al. ran a malaise trap near Driftwood, Hays Co. in central Texas from January 31, 2006 to August 13, 2006. Samples were collected approx. once every two wks: Jan 31 to Feb 11 - Present Feb 12 to May 28 - Absent May 29 to July 4 - Present July 5 to Aug 4, 2006 - Abundant Aug 5 to Aug 13 - Present Over 15,000 leafhoppers of this species (85% of all invertebrates surveyed) were collected betw. Sept 29 and Oct 19, 2008 on the west side of San Antonio, Bexar Co., Texas . Collection methods included sweep netting, blacklighting and a Malaise trap that ran for 14 days. (The site was a ~500 meter long strip immediately adjacent to Loop 1604, north of US Hwy 90.) (Zahniser et al. 2011) all records n. of Texas recorded in Oct-Dec (BG data); summer outbreaks in Texas along highways where KR bluestem proliferates, and at times dominates, may facilitates the leafhopper's dispersal to northern states, but see Ghauri for other potential dispersal mechanisms..
What is the life cycle of a Red-streaked Leafhopper?
B. rubrostriata (Melichar) was among 12 leafhopper species in Thailand which was detected to carry the phytoplasma associated with sugarcane white leaf disease. (Hanboonsong et al. 2006)