Cicadellidae
Guides
Cuerna
Cuerna is a genus of leafhoppers (sharpshooters) in the family Cicadellidae, established by Melichar in 1924. The genus comprises 26 described species distributed across North America from Canada and Alaska to Panama, with highest species diversity in the southwestern United States. As members of the tribe Proconiini, these insects are part of a group known for their xylem-feeding habits and association with diverse plant hosts.
Cuerna alba
Cuerna alba is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Oman and Beamer in 1944. It belongs to the tribe Proconiini, a group of relatively large and often strikingly patterned leafhoppers. Records indicate presence in several western and midwestern U.S. states including Colorado, Illinois, Montana, Nebraska, and New Mexico. Like other members of the genus Cuerna, it is likely associated with woody host plants, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Cuerna alta
Cuerna alta is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Oman and Beamer in 1944. It belongs to the tribe Proconiini, a group known for their relatively large size and robust build among leafhoppers. The species is documented from the southwestern United States, specifically New Mexico and Texas. Like other members of the genus Cuerna, it is presumed to feed on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts, though specific host plant associations for this species remain poorly documented.
Cuerna balli
Cuerna balli is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described by Oman and Beamer in 1944. It belongs to the genus Cuerna, which is placed in the tribe Proconiini. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States, with records from Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. A comparative developmental biology study of Cuerna arida and C. balli was conducted in Arizona, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Cuerna curvata
Cuerna curvata is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Oman and Beamer in 1944. It belongs to the tribe Proconiini, a group of relatively large and often colorful leafhoppers. Records indicate this species occurs in the western United States, specifically California, Nevada, and Utah. As with most members of its genus, detailed ecological and behavioral information remains limited in published literature.
Cuerna emeljanovi
Cuerna emeljanovi is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, tribe Proconiini, described in 2015. It belongs to the genus Cuerna, a group of relatively large, robust leafhoppers within the subfamily Cicadellinae. The species was described by Krishnankutty and Rakitov. Like other members of its tribe, it likely exhibits the characteristic enlarged hind femora adapted for jumping that define the family.
Cuerna fenestella
Cuerna fenestella is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described by Hamilton in 1970. It belongs to the tribe Proconiini, a group of relatively large and often colorful leafhoppers. The specific epithet 'fenestella' refers to small windows or openings, likely alluding to distinctive translucent or pale markings on the body. Records of this species are sparse, with documented occurrences in Manitoba and North Dakota.
Cuerna gladiola
Cuerna gladiola is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Oman and Beamer in 1944. It belongs to the tribe Proconiini, a group of relatively large and robust leafhoppers often associated with woody plants. The species is known from the western United States.
Cuerna lyrifora
Cuerna lyrifora is a species of sharpshooter leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described in 2015. It belongs to the tribe Proconiini, a group known for their large size and powerful jumping ability among leafhoppers. The species was established based on morphological distinctions from congeners.
Cuerna n-sp-ok-i
Cuerna n-sp-ok-i is an undescribed species of sharpshooter leafhopper in the tribe Proconiini, known from Oklahoma. The genus Cuerna includes medium-sized leafhoppers that are part of the diverse egg parasitoid research conducted by Dr. S.V. Triapitsyn and colleagues. Species in this genus are associated with egg parasitoids in the families Mymaridae and Trichogrammatidae, which have been studied extensively for biological control applications. The 'n-sp-ok-i' designation indicates this is a new species awaiting formal description, with the suffix denoting its Oklahoma origin.
Cuerna obesa
Cuerna obesa is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, described by Oman & Beamer in 1944. It belongs to the tribe Proconiini, a group of relatively large and robust leafhoppers. The species is recorded from the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Like other members of its genus, it likely feeds on plant vascular fluids using piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Cuerna occidentalis
Cuerna occidentalis is a species of sharpshooter leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, tribe Proconiini. The species was described by Oman and Beamer in 1944. As a member of the Cuerna genus, it is part of a group of leafhoppers known for their association with woody host plants and their role as vectors of plant pathogens. The species has been documented in California, USA.
Cuerna possibly-undescribed-az
A potentially undescribed species in the sharpshooter genus Cuerna, known from Arizona. The genus Cuerna belongs to the tribe Proconiini and comprises large, robust leafhoppers often associated with woody host plants. This putative species has been documented but awaits formal taxonomic description.
Cuerna sayi
Cuerna sayi is a species of sharpshooter leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, tribe Proconiini, described by Nielson in 1965. It is native to North America and has been recorded as a host for egg parasitoids in the families Mymaridae and Trichogrammatidae. The species is part of the economically important sharpshooter group, some members of which are vectors of plant pathogens including Xylella fastidiosa.
Cuerna striata
Striped Leafhopper
Cuerna striata, commonly known as the Striped Leafhopper, is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae. It is a member of the tribe Proconiini, which includes many economically significant agricultural pests. The species has been documented across western and central North America, with records from Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Colorado, and Illinois. It is a true bug (Hemiptera) that feeds on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Cuerna undescribed-sp-tx-i
Cuerna undescribed-sp-tx-i is an undescribed species of sharpshooter leafhopper in the genus Cuerna, known from Texas. The genus Cuerna belongs to the tribe Cicadellini and includes several described species characterized by bold color patterns and association with woody host plants. This particular taxon represents a distinct morphotype or lineage that has been documented but not yet formally described in the scientific literature.
Cuerna unica
Cuerna unica is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described by Nielson in 1965. It belongs to the tribe Proconiini, a group of relatively large and often strikingly marked leafhoppers. The genus Cuerna is native to the Americas. Distribution records indicate this species occurs in western North America.
Cuerna yuccae
Yucca Sharpshooter
Cuerna yuccae is a sharpshooter leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Oman & Beamer in 1944. It belongs to the tribe Proconiini, a group known for their role as vectors of plant pathogens including Xylella fastidiosa, the bacterium causing Pierce's disease in grapevines. The species is associated with yucca plants and occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States. Like other proconiine sharpshooters, it feeds on xylem fluid and has potential significance in plant disease epidemiology.
Cumora australis
Cumora australis is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, first described by DeLong in 1926. The species is known from the southeastern United States, with records from Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi. As a member of the subfamily Cicadellinae, it belongs to a group of active, jumping insects that feed on plant vascular fluids. Very little specific information has been published on the biology or ecology of this particular species.
Cumora furcata
Cumora furcata is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described by Caldwell in 1952. It belongs to the genus Cumora, which is part of the diverse leafhopper fauna of the Western Hemisphere. The species is known from limited distributional records in Brazil. As with many Cicadellidae, it likely feeds on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts, though specific host associations remain undocumented in available sources.
Curtara insularis
Ringspot Leafhopper
Curtara insularis is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, commonly known as the Ringspot Leafhopper. The species is characterized by brochosomes—nanoparticle coatings that produce superhydrophobic and anti-reflective properties on its exoskeleton and wings. Brochosomes in this species appear smoother and more circular compared to the more angular forms found in related genera such as Gyponana. The species has been documented across multiple localities in North and South America.
Dalbulus
corn leafhoppers
Dalbulus is a genus of leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae, tribe Macrostelini. The genus comprises approximately 11 species, with 10 species occurring in Mexico. Several species, particularly D. maidis (corn leafhopper) and D. elimatus (Mexican corn leafhopper), are economically significant agricultural pests. These species are highly efficient vectors of maize stunting pathogens including Spiroplasma kunkelii (corn stunt spiroplasma), maize bushy stunt phytoplasma, and maize rayado fino virus. The genus exhibits a spectrum of host plant specialization, with species ranging from maize specialists (D. maidis, D. elimatus) to gamagrass specialists (D. tripsacoides, D. quinquenotatus, D. guzmani) and generalists that utilize both host types.
Dalbulus elimatus
Mexican corn leafhopper
Dalbulus elimatus (Ball, 1900), the Mexican corn leafhopper, is a specialist herbivore of maize (Zea mays) and closely related grasses in the genus Tripsacum. It is a significant agricultural pest in Mexico and Central America, transmitting three major corn stunting pathogens: corn stunt spiroplasma (Spiroplasma kunkelii), maize bushy stunt phytoplasma, and maize rayado fino virus. The species exhibits r-selected life history traits characteristic of annual plant specialists, with rapid development (approximately 27 days egg to adult on maize) and high fecundity. It serves as host for multiple parasitoid species including the pipunculid fly Eudorylas subopacus and the dryinid wasp Gonatopus bartletti, which parasitize adults, as well as several mymarid and trichogrammatid wasps that attack eggs.
Daltonia condita
Daltonia condita is a leafhopper species described from Texas in 1993. It belongs to the genus Daltonia within the leafhopper family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae. The species is known from limited collection records in Texas. As with other members of the genus, it is presumed to feed on plant phloem via piercing-sucking mouthparts, though specific host associations remain undocumented.
Davisonia
Davisonia is a genus of leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae, and tribe Macrostelini. It was described by Dorst in 1937. The genus belongs to the diverse group of true bugs (Hemiptera) characterized by piercing-sucking mouthparts. As a member of Macrostelini, it is part of a tribe known for species with relatively slender body forms and association with various host plants.
Davisonia americana
Davisonia americana is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1891. It belongs to the subfamily Deltocephalinae and tribe Macrostelini. The species has been recorded from multiple U.S. states and Canadian provinces, including British Columbia, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, and Kansas. As a member of the Cicadellidae, it is a phloem-feeding insect with piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Davisonia snowi
Davisonia snowi is a species of leafhopper (family Cicadellidae) in the tribe Macrostelini. It was originally described as Cicadula snowi by Dorst in 1931 and later transferred to the genus Davisonia. The species has been recorded from western North America, including Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Colorado, and Illinois. As a member of the subfamily Deltocephalinae, it belongs to one of the largest and most diverse groups of leafhoppers.
Decua
Decua is a genus of leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae, tribe Cicadellini, established by Oman in 1949. As a member of the subfamily Cicadellinae, it belongs to a diverse group of sap-feeding insects commonly known as sharpshooters. The genus is part of the large leafhopper fauna of the Western Hemisphere. No species-level biological data or diagnostic descriptions are readily available in major databases.
Decua cucurbita
Decua cucurbita is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Ball in 1936. It belongs to the tribe Cicadellini within the subfamily Cicadellinae. Distribution records indicate this species occurs in the southwestern United States, specifically in Arizona and New Mexico. As a member of the Auchenorrhyncha, it possesses piercing-sucking mouthparts typical of this suborder.
Deltanus texanus
Deltanus texanus is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Osborn and Ball in 1898. It belongs to the subfamily Deltocephalinae and tribe Deltocephalini. The species has been documented in Louisiana, Virginia, and Mexico based on distribution records. As a member of the Auchenorrhyncha, it possesses the characteristic piercing-sucking mouthparts typical of this group of Hemiptera.
Deltocephalus balli
Deltocephalus balli is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1916. It is currently treated as a synonym of Graminella balli in some taxonomic databases, reflecting ongoing revisions within the Deltocephalinae. The species has been recorded from multiple states in the central and western United States. As with many leafhoppers, detailed biological information remains sparse.
Deltocephalus fuscinervosus
Deltocephalus fuscinervosus is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described by Van Duzee in 1894. It belongs to the large and diverse subfamily Deltocephalinae, which contains many economically significant agricultural pests. The species has been documented in western North America from British Columbia to California and eastward to Kansas and Colorado. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to feed on plant phloem sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts, though specific host plants remain unverified.
Deltocephalus incisurus
Deltocephalus incisurus is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, described by DeLong in 1926. It belongs to a large genus of grass-feeding leafhoppers that are ecologically significant as vectors of plant pathogens. The species is native to North America.
Deltocephalus mystax
Deltocephalus mystax is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described by Hamilton and Ross in 1975. The species epithet 'mystax' refers to a beard or moustache-like structure, though specific morphological details of this feature are not documented in available sources. It belongs to the large and diverse genus Deltocephalus within the subfamily Deltocephalinae.
Deltocephalus pulicaris
Deltocephalus pulicaris is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, first described by Fallén in 1806. It belongs to the large subfamily Deltocephalinae, which contains many economically significant agricultural pests. The species has been documented across a broad Holarctic distribution spanning Europe, Asia, and North America. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with grassland and meadow habitats.
Deltocephalus zephyrius
Deltocephalus zephyrius is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, described by Van Duzee in 1925. It belongs to the large and diverse subfamily Deltocephalinae, one of the most species-rich groups within the leafhoppers. The species is known from the Pacific Northwest region of North America.
Destria
Destria is a genus of leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae, established by Oman in 1949. Members of this genus are small, plant-feeding insects within the order Hemiptera. The genus is part of the large and diverse leafhopper fauna, with records indicating at least 19 observations documented on iNaturalist. Specific species-level information for Destria remains limited in available sources.
Destria bisignata
Destria bisignata is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae. It was described by Sanders and DeLong in 1923. The species is known from limited observations in the southeastern United States.
Destria crocea
Destria crocea is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae. It was originally described as Lonatura crocea by Beirne in 1955 before being transferred to the genus Destria. The species has been recorded from the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, as well as the U.S. state of Oregon. As a member of the Deltocephalini tribe, it belongs to a diverse group of leafhoppers associated with grasses and herbaceous plants.
Dicyphonia
Dicyphonia is a genus of leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae, and tribe Hecalini. It was established by Ball in 1900 and is classified within the superfamily Membracoidea. The genus belongs to the leafhopper subtribe Hecalina, a group characterized by specific morphological features related to head structure and wing venation.
Dicyphonia minuta
Dicyphonia minuta is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, described by Beamer in 1936. It belongs to the tribe Hecalini within the subfamily Deltocephalinae. Distribution records indicate occurrence in the western United States, specifically Arizona and Wyoming. As a member of the Hemiptera, it possesses piercing-sucking mouthparts typical of true bugs.
Dikraneura arizona
Dikraneura arizona is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Typhlocybinae. First described by DeLong & Caldwell in 1937, this small hemipteran is distributed across the southwestern and north-central United States. As a member of the tribe Dikraneurini, it shares characteristics with other minute leafhoppers that feed on plant phloem.
Dikraneura rufula
Dikraneura rufula is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Typhlocybinae. Described by Gillette in 1898, this small hemipteran is part of a genus characterized by distinctive wing venation patterns. Records indicate presence in western North America including California, Utah, and British Columbia, as well as Québec. Available observation data is limited, with few documented occurrences in natural history collections and citizen science platforms.
Dikrella californica
Blackberry Leafhopper
Dikrella californica, commonly known as the Blackberry Leafhopper, is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae. The species was described by Lawson in 1930 and is native to western North America. It is associated with blackberry (Rubus spp.) as a host plant, though detailed biological studies remain limited. The species belongs to the subfamily Typhlocybinae, a group of small leafhoppers often referred to as "sharpshooters" or "typhlocybine leafhoppers."
Dikrella cruentata
blackberry leafhopper
Dikrella cruentata, commonly known as the blackberry leafhopper, is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Typhlocybinae. The species was described by Gillette in 1898. A synonymized subspecies, D. cruentata kansiensis, was described by Lawson in 1930. The common name suggests an association with blackberry plants, though specific ecological relationships remain poorly documented in available sources.
Dikrella scimitar
Dikrella scimitar is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Typhlocybinae, described by Chandler in 2017. It belongs to a group of small, plant-feeding insects known for their delicate structure and specialized mouthparts adapted for piercing and sucking plant fluids. The specific epithet "scimitar" may allude to a curved morphological feature, though this is not explicitly documented in available sources.
Diplocolenus
Diplocolenus is a genus of leafhoppers (Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) established by Ribaut in 1946. The genus comprises at least two subgenera: Diplocolenus s. str. and Verdanulus Emeljanov. Species within this genus are associated with steppe habitats and grassland ecosystems. Some species exhibit host-plant specificity, with at least one species documented as monophagous on a particular grass species.
Diplocolenus abdominalis
Diplocolenus abdominalis is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae. The species was described by Fabricius in 1803 and is currently placed in the genus Diplocolenus, tribe Paralimnini. Distribution records indicate occurrence across northern and central Eurasia, including Alaska and regions of Kazakhstan, Russia, and Mongolia.
Diplocolenus aquilonius
Diplocolenus aquilonius is a leafhopper species in the family Cicadellidae, described by Ross & Hamilton in 1970. The species is recorded from Alaska and Yukon, representing a northern distribution within its genus. As a member of the subfamily Deltocephalinae, it belongs to a diverse group of plant-feeding leafhoppers.
Diplocolenus configuratus
Diplocolenus configuratus is a species of leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae. It belongs to the tribe Paralimnini, which comprises grassland-associated leafhoppers. The species was described by Uhler in 1878 and occurs in central North America. Records indicate presence in prairie and grassland regions of the United States and Canada.