7. Leafhopper (Errastunus ocellaris)

Subject: Leafhopper (Errastunus ocellaris)

Location: Backyard

Date: June 2018

The Story behind the Shot: This beautiful leafhopper was found on the edge of the raised garden bed in my backyard.

The Story behind the Species:

I can find very little information about Errastunus leafhoppers, despite their beautiful and intricate patterns. They seem to be associated with grasslands, feeding on grasses with their piercing tube-like mouth. In North America (where they are introduced, the species was originally native to Europe), they are usually found in lawns and other disturbed grassy areas.

I shouldn’t be too surprised that leafhoppers (Family Cicadellidae) are understudied on the individual species level as there are approximately 22 000 species described (with an estimated 100 000 species total diversity) (source: bugguide.net). It’s these sorts of numbers that start to give you an idea of the diversity of insects, and why I find them so fascinating. You will never run out of insects to learn about, even if you run out of information about particular species!

For other blogposts in the series, see:

–My Top 20 Nature Photos of 2013-2020

–1. The Pale-Painted Sand Wasp (Bembix pallidipicta)

–2. Moose (Alces alces) Family

–3. Canada Jay (Perisoreus canadensis)

–4. Common Five-Lined Skink (Plestiodon fasciatus)

–5. Robber Fly Hunting Queen Ant

–6. Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)

And for another post with some focus on Leafhoppers, see:

–Leafhoppers, Lepidopterans and Longhorns