SHARPSHOOTER

SHARPSHOOTER

Draeculacephala sp.
LEAFHOPPER FAMILY (Cicadellidae)

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This is a small leafhopper about 3/8 inch long (8 mm) that has a pointed head, flat green wings and “herringbone” legs. It moves slowly to avoid discovery by predators, and feeds on the juices of several types of plants, mostly grasses and sedges. Its sucking mouth parts can be barely seen in image “B” between the front pair of legs. The excess water is ejected in a spray, reflecting their common name, sharpshooter. This genus was identified with the help of volunteer experts at BugGuide. The species cannot positively be determined from these images alone.

 

This sharpshooter is not often seen in Fontenelle Forest or Neale Woods, but may be present in greater numbers and just not noticed that often because of its leaf mimicry.

 

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