Gonatocerus
Guides
Gonatocerus rivalis
Gonatocerus rivalis is a species of fairyfly in the family Mymaridae, described by Girault in 1911. The species is known from limited distribution records in North America and Venezuela. As a member of the genus Gonatocerus, it is presumed to be an egg parasitoid, though specific host associations for this species have not been documented. The species is among the smaller members of the family, which are among the smallest insects known.
Homalodisca vitripennis
Glassy-winged Sharpshooter
Homalodisca vitripennis, commonly known as the glassy-winged sharpshooter, is a large leafhopper native to the southeastern United States and northeastern Mexico. It has become a major invasive pest in California, Hawaii, and the Pacific Islands, where it vectors Xylella fastidiosa, the bacterium causing Pierce's disease of grapevine—a lethal condition for vineyards. The species exhibits complex vibrational communication during mating, with males and females engaging in duets using species-specific signals. Populations in California's Central Valley have developed significant resistance to neonicotinoid insecticides, particularly imidacloprid, creating challenges for chemical management. Classical biological control using egg parasitoids from the genus Gonatocerus (family Mymaridae) has proven effective, with parasitism rates reaching 80-100% in some areas.