Leptopsaltriini
Moulton, 1923
Painted Cicadas
Genus Guides
1- Neocicada(Painted Cicadas)
Leptopsaltriini is a tribe of cicadas comprising at least 200 described distributed across the Palearctic, Nearctic, and Indomalayan realms. The tribe is organized into six subtribes, with notable diversity in South and Southeast Asia. A recently described , Versicolora, has revealed the first documented case of colour-changing behaviour in the superfamily Cicadoidea.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Leptopsaltriini: //ˌlɛptɔpsalˈtriːɪnaɪ//
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Identification
Members of Leptopsaltriini are distinguished from other tribes primarily through genitalia and molecular phylogenetic relationships. The subtribe classification relies on combinations of wing venation patterns, male genitalia structure, and body proportions. Versicolora can be recognized by their bark-camouflaging coloration and documented ability to gradually change body colour when captured.
Images
Habitat
occur in forested environments where they utilize tree bark as substrate for camouflage. -plant associations include bark surfaces of unspecified tree species.
Distribution
Palearctic, Nearctic, and Indomalayan realms. Documented from China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, and across Southeast Asia including the Philippines and Indonesia.
Host Associations
- host-plants (bark) - camouflage substrateVersicolora ziyongi camouflages on bark surfaces
Behavior
At least one , Versicolora ziyongi, exhibits bark-camouflaging and gradual body colour change when captured. This represents the first recorded instance of colour-changing behaviour in the superfamily Cicadoidea.
Similar Taxa
- Other Cicadinae tribesLeptopsaltriini is distinguished by subtribal organization and specific genitalia ; other tribes lack the documented colour-changing behaviour and specific bark-camouflage adaptations seen in Versicolora
More Details
Subtribal classification
The tribe comprises six subtribes: Euterpnosiina, Gudabina, Leptopsaltriina, Leptosemiina, Mosaicina, and Puranina. Subtribe Leptopsaltriina (authority: J.C. Moulton, 1923) occurs in the Nearctic and Indomalayan realms. Subtribe Puranina (authority: Lee, 2013) is restricted to South and Southeast Asia.
Colour-changing discovery
The 2020 description of Versicolora ziyongi documented the first known colour-changing behaviour in Cicadoidea, expanding the known behavioural repertoire of cicadas and providing novel data for ecomorphological studies.