Grass Sharpshooter
Draeculacephala minerva
This record describes Draeculacephala minerva (species). Recorded family: Cicadellidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
This species is generally unmarked green with a somewhat short head and generally green wing venation. This species overlaps in range with D. californica which has nearly identical male genitalia but a longer head. This species can often have a black spot on the vertex, especially in the California area of its range, but this is not always the case. Based on BG observations, it is likely this species has a brown form which can get very dark, but given that all of these observations are in AZ, there may be undescribed species similar to minerva . This is the most common Draeculacephala in the southwestern U.S. There are other species of Draeculacephala present in the southwest, some of which are likely undescribed.
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
Western U.S. & Mexico; introduced in Hawaii
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Grasses, incl. many turfgrasses
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Draeculacephala minerva (Ball, 1927)
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Draeculacephala minerva. 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 Grass Sharpshooter (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tim Loh; Additional contributions by v belov , antarctica
Frequently Asked Questions About Grass Sharpshooter
What is Grass Sharpshooter?
Grass Sharpshooter (Draeculacephala minerva) is a species in the family Cicadellidae, within the order Hemiptera.
How do you identify Grass Sharpshooter?
This species is generally unmarked green with a somewhat short head and generally green wing venation. This species overlaps in range with D. californica which has nearly identical male genitalia but a longer head. This species can often have a black spot on the vertex, especially in the California area of its range, but this is not always the case. Based on BG observations, it is likely this species has a brown form which can get very dark, but given that all of these observations are in AZ, there may be undescribed species similar to minerva .
Where is Grass Sharpshooter found?
Range: Western U.S. & Mexico; introduced in Hawaii
What does Grass Sharpshooter eat?
The diet of the Grass Sharpshooter includes Grasses, incl. many turfgrasses.