Occidental Sharpshooter
Cuerna occidentalis
This record describes Cuerna occidentalis (species). Recorded family: Cicadellidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
naturalhistory.museumwales.ac.uk/sharpshooters/browserecord.php?-recid=437 This species is externally identical to C. unica (except for female eighth sternites), but is more southern in distribution: southern California and Baja.
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
- Cicadellinae
- Tribe
- Proconiini
- Genus
- Cuerna
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Baja California and southern California.
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Cuerna occidentalis. 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 Occidental Sharpshooter (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Bbarnd , TurtleDude
Frequently Asked Questions About Occidental Sharpshooter
What is Occidental Sharpshooter?
Occidental Sharpshooter (Cuerna occidentalis) is a species in the family Cicadellidae, within the order Hemiptera.
How do you identify Occidental Sharpshooter?
naturalhistory.museumwales.ac.uk/sharpshooters/browserecord.php?-recid=437
Where is Occidental Sharpshooter found?
Range: Baja California and southern California.