Idiocerus obstinatus
This record describes Idiocerus obstinatus (species). Recorded family: Cicadellidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
Resembling dolosus in form and colour, but smaller. Size of verrucosus nearly, but with broader elytra. Vertex shortest in the middle; face sloping, but slightly convex; elytra inclined to be flaring, narrowing before apex; outer anteapicai cell long and narrow. Male valve short and strongly trisinuate; antennae with a moderate-sized oval disc. Colour: vertex and face creamy yellow, a pair of very small round spots on vertex, a pair of brown dashes outside of these, a median stripe down face, fuscous in the middle and constricted above the ocelli, and a pair of shining black stripes beneath the eyes; pronotum washed with very pale brown, a few irregular spots in front; scutellum pale, with the angles and a pair of spots on the disc brown; elytra milky subhyaline, the nervures heavily fuscous, omitting the base, the costal margins, a transverse band back of clavus and a few spots on disc; legs and beneath pale. This is a very distinct form, resembling craetagi and dolosus in colour marking, but belonging to the alternatus group in structural characters. (Ball, 1902)
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
Arizona
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Idiocerus obstinatus Ball, 1902
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Idiocerus obstinatus. 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 obstinatus (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Solomon V. Hendrix
Frequently Asked Questions About Idiocerus obstinatus
What is Idiocerus obstinatus?
Idiocerus obstinatus is a species in the family Cicadellidae, within the order Hemiptera.
How big is Idiocerus obstinatus?
4.5mm
How do you identify Idiocerus obstinatus?
Resembling dolosus in form and colour, but smaller. Size of verrucosus nearly, but with broader elytra. Vertex shortest in the middle; face sloping, but slightly convex; elytra inclined to be flaring, narrowing before apex; outer anteapicai cell long and narrow. Male valve short and strongly trisinuate; antennae with a moderate-sized oval disc. Colour: vertex and face creamy yellow, a pair of very small round spots on vertex, a pair of brown dashes outside of these, a median stripe down face, fuscous in the middle and constricted above the ocelli, and a pair of shining black stripes beneath the eyes; pronotum washed with very pale brown, a few irregular spots in front; scutellum pale, with the angles and a pair of spots on the disc brown; elytra milky subhyaline, the nervures heavily fuscous, omitting the base, the costal margins, a transverse band back of clavus and a few spots on disc; legs and beneath pale. This is a very distinct form, resembling craetagi and dolosus in colour marking, but belonging to the alternatus group in structural characters. (Ball, 1902)
Where is Idiocerus obstinatus found?
Range: Arizona