Aster Leafhopper
Macrosteles quadrilineatus
This record describes Macrosteles quadrilineatus (species). Recorded family: Cicadellidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
Narrow-winged, with 6 spots on the head, and a black mustache. Major polyphagous agricultural pest and plant disease vector, reported to cause serious losses of some crops. It is a vector of the so called aster yellows , a bacterial plant disease.
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
- Deltocephalinae
- Tribe
- Macrostelini
- Genus
- Macrosteles
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
much of the northern hemisphere
Diet and Behavior
Diet: hosts: asters and corn
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Macrosteles quadrilineatus (Forbes 1885)
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Macrosteles quadrilineatus. 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 Aster Leafhopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , ceiseman , Robert Lord Zimlich , v belov , antarctica
Frequently Asked Questions About Aster Leafhopper
What is Aster Leafhopper?
Aster Leafhopper (Macrosteles quadrilineatus) is a species in the family Cicadellidae, within the order Hemiptera.
How big is Aster Leafhopper?
3‒4.3 mm
How do you identify Aster Leafhopper?
Narrow-winged, with 6 spots on the head, and a black mustache.
Where is Aster Leafhopper found?
Range: much of the northern hemisphere
What does Aster Leafhopper eat?
The diet of the Aster Leafhopper includes hosts: asters and corn.