Idiocerus distinctus
This record describes Idiocerus distinctus (species). Recorded family: Cicadellidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Female: Form that of a small and slender alternatus . Face a little less than one-eighth wider than long; clypeus two-fifths longer than broad, broadest at base; lorae a little longer than clypeus, and two-thirds as broad; genae rather deeply depressed beneath the eyes, lateral margins nearly straight, attaining the tip of the clypeus and broad beneath the lorae. Front but little longer than broad, two times as long as the clypeus, rapidly narrowing below the antennae; face rather coarsely shagreened. Vertex finely transversely wrinkled, length at the middle the same as at the eyes, width between eyes a littIe less than five times the length at the mIddle, apex very broadly rounded. |
| Pronotum | Pronotum two times as broad as long, three times as long as vertex, curvature little more than two-thirds of the length; slightly concave behind; disc finely transversely shagreened, transverse groove as in interruptus . Last ventral segment with the hind margin broadly rounded, notched at the center, posterior angles rounded. Color brown and white above, yellowish beneath. Face and vertex pale yellow washed with pale rufous. Vertex with small round black spots on crest. |
| Pronotum | Pronotum pale brown with about eight or ten small pale bluish spots. Scutellum rufous, dark near the posterior angles, with two small spots on the disc, and the apex pale. |
| Elytra | Elytra white next to scutellum and at tip of clavus deep smoky; two or three lines on the nervures below tip of clavus, and nervures at tip of corium, blackish. Venter yellow. |
| Legs | Legs pale yellow, concolorous. (Gillette & Baker, 1895) |
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
- Eurymelinae
- Tribe
- Idiocerini
- Genus
- Idiocerus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Colorado
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Salix (willow)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Idiocerus distinctus Gillette & Baker, 1895
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Idiocerus distinctus. 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 Idiocerus distinctus (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Solomon V. Hendrix
Frequently Asked Questions About Idiocerus distinctus
What is Idiocerus distinctus?
Idiocerus distinctus is a species in the family Cicadellidae, within the order Hemiptera.
How big is Idiocerus distinctus?
4.7mm
How do you identify Idiocerus distinctus?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Female: Form that of a small and slender alternatus . Face a little less than one-eighth wider than long; clypeus two-fifths longer than broad, broadest at base; lorae a little longer than clypeus, and two-thirds as broad; genae rather deeply depressed beneath the eyes, lateral margins nearly straight, attaining the tip of the clypeus and broad beneath the lorae. Front but little longer than broad, two times as long as the clypeus, rapidly narrowing below the antennae; face rather coarsely shagreened. Vertex finely transversely wrinkled, length at the middle the same as at the eyes, width between eyes a littIe less than five times the length at the mIddle, apex very broadly rounded. |
| Pronotum | Pronotum two times as broad as long, three times as long as vertex, curvature little more than two-thirds of the length; slightly concave behind; disc finely transversely shagreened, transverse groove as in interruptus . Last ventral segment with the hind margin broadly rounded, notched at the center, posterior angles rounded. Color brown and white above, yellowish beneath. Face and vertex pale yellow washed with pale rufous. Vertex with small round black spots on crest. |
| Pronotum | Pronotum pale brown with about eight or ten small pale bluish spots. Scutellum rufous, dark near the posterior angles, with two small spots on the disc, and the apex pale. |
| Elytra | Elytra white next to scutellum and at tip of clavus deep smoky; two or three lines on the nervures below tip of clavus, and nervures at tip of corium, blackish. Venter yellow. |
| Legs | Legs pale yellow, concolorous. (Gillette & Baker, 1895) |
Where is Idiocerus distinctus found?
Range: Colorado
What does Idiocerus distinctus eat?
The diet of the Idiocerus distinctus includes Salix (willow).