Balcanocerus

Maldonado Capriles, 1971

Species Guides

6

Balcanocerus is a of leafhoppers in the Cicadellidae, Eurymelinae. in this genus are -attended and feed on phloem sap from plants in Rosaceae. The genus includes both North American and European species, with documented associations with specific ant partners and host trees.

Balcanocerus crataegi by (c) Owen Strickland, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Owen Strickland. Used under a CC-BY license.Balcanocerus fitchi by (c) Owen Strickland, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Owen Strickland. Used under a CC-BY license.Balcanocerus provancheri by (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Balcanocerus: /bælˈkænoʊˌsɪərəs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Members of Balcanocerus can be distinguished from related Idiocerini by -attended aggregative and specific plant associations. B. agapetomyrmices differs from B. balcanicus in colouration and male and female genitalia. B. fitchi has distinctive white and black wing with white lines hooking inwards from wing connection, yellow vertex with two large black spots, and orange-yellow-brown with yellow-brown and dark brown spots.

Images

Habitat

Open forest environments. B. fitchi occurs in northeastern United States and southeastern Canada; B. agapetomyrmices is associated with Pyrus amygdaliformis in Bulgaria.

Distribution

North America (northeastern United States, Vermont); Europe (Bulgaria, Denmark); Palaearctic Region.

Diet

Phloem sap feeding on Rosaceae plants. B. fitchi feeds on hawthorn (Crataegus) and crab apple (Malus); B. agapetomyrmices feeds on Pyrus amygdaliformis.

Host Associations

  • Pyrus amygdaliformis Villars, 1807 (Rosaceae) - plantonly known for B. agapetomyrmices
  • Lasius bombycina Seifert & Galkowski, 2016 (Formicidae) - partnerfeeds on excreted honeydew; frequently visits
  • Crataegus (hawthorn) - plantprimary for B. fitchi
  • Malus (crab apple) - plantprimary for B. fitchi

Life Cycle

Nymphs and both present; nymphs form with adults. Adult males 5.4–5.8 mm, females 5.7–6.2 mm in B. fitchi.

Behavior

Forms small of 4–6 individuals. Frequently visited by ants that feed on excreted honeydew; trophobiotic relationship documented with Lasius .

Ecological Role

Phloem feeder that produces honeydew, supporting mutualists. Potential pest of Rosaceae fruit trees.

Human Relevance

Potential minor pest of hawthorn and crab apple; otherwise limited direct economic impact.

Similar Taxa

  • B. balcanicusClose to B. agapetomyrmices but differs in colouration and genitalia
  • Other Idiocerini generaBalcanocerus distinguished by -attended aggregative and specific Rosaceae associations

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Sources and further reading