Tamarix Leafhopper
Opsius stactogalus
This record describes Opsius stactogalus (species). Recorded family: Cicadellidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
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
- Opsiini
- Genus
- Opsius
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
native to the warmer parts of the Palaearctic, introduced into NA at several localities (TX, CA, NJ...) in early 1900s; by 1939 has spread throughout so. & e.US as far as MN, then reached ON & BC (Hamilton 1983)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: on saltcedar ( Tamarix )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Opsius stactogalus Fieber 1866
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Opsius stactogalus. 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 Tamarix Leafhopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Claude Pilon; Additional contributions by john and jane balaban , Mike Quinn , Robert Lord Zimlich , v belov