Oncometopia hamiltoni
This record describes Oncometopia hamiltoni (species). Recorded family: Cicadellidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
wings can be light blue, violet, or pink For basically half a century, what is now O. hamiltoni was misidentified as being O. clarior. Rakitov's 2016 paper fixed this issue and split out O. hamiltoni. So everything that was previously known as O. clarior in Texas is now O. hamiltoni. O. clarior occurs as far north as Monterrey, MX it seems (based on an iNaturalist record). O. clarior is a hyper variable species (well, a complex of species) and some individuals can even externally be identical to O. hamiltoni or O. orbona, but it is not yet known from the United States.
Identification notes
wings can be light blue, violet, or pink
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
- Proconiini
- Genus
- Oncometopia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Gulf Coast Plains, c. TX, to Veracruz, Mex. - Map (Rakitov, 2016)
Seasonal Activity
yr round (BG data)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Oncometopia hamiltoni Rakitov, 2016
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Oncometopia hamiltoni. 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 Oncometopia hamiltoni (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov , TurtleDude
Frequently Asked Questions About Oncometopia hamiltoni
What is Oncometopia hamiltoni?
Oncometopia hamiltoni is a species in the family Cicadellidae, within the order Hemiptera.
How big is Oncometopia hamiltoni?
Males are 9.1-11.4 mm, females 10.3-11.4 mm.
How do you identify Oncometopia hamiltoni?
wings can be light blue, violet, or pink
Where is Oncometopia hamiltoni found?
Range: Gulf Coast Plains, c. TX, to Veracruz, Mex. - Map (Rakitov, 2016)
When is Oncometopia hamiltoni active?
Oncometopia hamiltoni: seasonal activity - yr round (BG data).