Xestocephalus tucsoni
This record describes Xestocephalus tucsoni (species). Recorded family: Cicadellidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
Face brownish black with trace of pale arcs on front, on upper part a dark bat-shaped figure enclosed by light area. Markings of vertex, pronotum and scutellum dark brown to black on tan background; elytra largely semihyaline, with dark brown clouding, two inner claval veins conspicuously white toward sutural margin and near humeral angle. Head narrower than pronotum; vertex more than three times as broad as long, twice as long at middle as next to eye, slightly produced; pronotum more than half longer than vertex, two and three-eighths times as wide as long, humeral and lateral margins equal; elytra exceeding abdomen.
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
- Aphrodinae
- Tribe
- Xestocephalini
- Genus
- Xestocephalus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Holotype male and allotype female from Tucson, AZ
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Xestocephalus tucsoni Knull 1944
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Xestocephalus tucsoni. 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 Xestocephalus tucsoni (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robert Lord Zimlich; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Xestocephalus tucsoni
What is Xestocephalus tucsoni?
Xestocephalus tucsoni is a species in the family Cicadellidae, within the order Hemiptera.
How big is Xestocephalus tucsoni?
male 3.2 mm, female 3.5 mm
How do you identify Xestocephalus tucsoni?
Face brownish black with trace of pale arcs on front, on upper part a dark bat-shaped figure enclosed by light area. Markings of vertex, pronotum and scutellum dark brown to black on tan background; elytra largely semihyaline, with dark brown clouding, two inner claval veins conspicuously white toward sutural margin and near humeral angle. Head narrower than pronotum; vertex more than three times as broad as long, twice as long at middle as next to eye, slightly produced; pronotum more than half longer than vertex, two and three-eighths times as wide as long, humeral and lateral margins equal; elytra exceeding abdomen.
Where is Xestocephalus tucsoni found?
Range: Holotype male and allotype female from Tucson, AZ