False Grass Sharpshooter
Draeculacephala californica
This record describes Draeculacephala californica (species). Recorded family: Cicadellidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
A relatively nondescript green species with a very pointed head and white wing venation. Its range overlaps with the somewhat similar D. minerva , but this species is often has a longer/slenderer head and has a paler underside. Both californica and minerva can have a similarly rough texture on the wings. This species may be confused with the very similar D. navicula which is found in Texas and Mexico (and is not known to reach as far west as californica ). The observations currently listed under this page are mostly tentative-not much is known about this species.
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
- Cicadellini
- Genus
- Draeculacephala
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southwestern United States and Mexico. Introduced in Hawaii.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: grasses
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Draeculacephala californica (Davidson & Frazier, 1949)
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Draeculacephala californica. 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 False Grass Sharpshooter (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Solomon V. Hendrix
Frequently Asked Questions About False Grass Sharpshooter
What is False Grass Sharpshooter?
False Grass Sharpshooter (Draeculacephala californica) is a species in the family Cicadellidae, within the order Hemiptera.
How do you identify False Grass Sharpshooter?
A relatively nondescript green species with a very pointed head and white wing venation. Its range overlaps with the somewhat similar D. minerva , but this species is often has a longer/slenderer head and has a paler underside. Both californica and minerva can have a similarly rough texture on the wings. This species may be confused with the very similar D. navicula which is found in Texas and Mexico (and is not known to reach as far west as californica ).
Where is False Grass Sharpshooter found?
Range: Southwestern United States and Mexico. Introduced in Hawaii.
What does False Grass Sharpshooter eat?
The diet of the False Grass Sharpshooter includes grasses.