2023-taxonomic-revision

Guides

• Cercopidae

  froghoppers, spittlebugs

  Cercopidae is the largest family of Cercopoidea, a group of xylem-feeding insects in the hemipteran suborder Auchenorrhyncha. Commonly called froghoppers or spittlebugs, these insects are known for the frothy protective masses produced by nymphs and the powerful jumping ability of adults. A 2023 phylogenetic study elevated the New World subfamily Ischnorhininae to full family status as Ischnorhinidae, leaving Cercopidae sensu stricto as a monophyletic Old World group comprising two subfamilies: Cercopinae and Cosmoscartinae. Members are significant agricultural pests of forage grasses, sugarcane, and turfgrass throughout tropical and subtropical regions.

  xylem-feedingjumping-insectsagricultural-pestsspittle-masseshemimetabolousvectorforage-grass-pestssugarcane-peststurfgrass-pestsOld-World-distribution2023-taxonomic-revisionIschnorhinidae-split

• Perdita perpallida

  pale miner bee, All-pale Perdita

  Perdita perpallida is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, native to North America. The species is distinguished by its notably pale yellow to white coloration, which sets it apart from most other Perdita species that typically exhibit darker or more contrasting patterns. Formerly divided into two subspecies, the taxon was revised in 2023 when Perdita perpallida citrinella was synonymized with the nominate form after being recognized as intraspecific color variation. The species belongs to a large genus of small bees that are important but often overlooked pollinators.

  beesolitarymining-beepollinatorNorth-Americapale-colorationAndrenidaePerdita2023-taxonomic-revisioncolor-polymorphism