Graphocephala fennahi

Rhododendron leafhopper
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hemiptera
Family:	Cicadellidae
Genus:	Graphocephala
Species:	G. fennahi
Binomial name
	Graphocephala fennahi; Young, 1977

Graphocephala fennahi (rhododendron leafhopper) is a species of leafhopper native to the United States. Its common name derives from it feeding on the sap of rhododendrons.^[1] The species was introduced to Great Britain in the 1930s and continental Europe in the 1970s.^[2] There has been suggestion that the rhododendron leafhopper contributes to the spread of a rhododendron fungus (Pycnostysanus azaleae) through Europe.^[3]

Description[]

They are small as 8-10 mm and have 4 orange stripes down their elytrons. Their metamorphosis are incomplete, and those creatures are durnal. Forewing colors are ranged from red to blue. Males are 7.4-8.8 mm long, and females are 8.2-9 mm long. They belong to the group "True bugs", very closely related to aphids and psyllids

Distribution[]

It a species native to the mountains of southern Virginia, the western Carolinas, and northern Georgia.

Habitats[]

They are recorded in grassy lands, as well as in mixed hardwood forests, usually found in rhododendron areas.

Contribution[]

Rhododendron leafhoppers are usually vital food for ladybugs, spiders, and some parasitic wasps. They are afraid of Harmonia axyridis, the Harlequin Ladybird. So it's best to attract them so that it will limit the damage caused by those bugs.

Pest control[]

They can be killed by organic sprays, but never spray them on flowers because it can kill pollinators.

Seasonal occurrence[]

The Rhododendron leafhopper emerges from late spring and dies in November (timeline includes: May, June, July, August, September, October and November).

Front view
Rhododendron leafhoppers mating

Notes[]

^ http://www.britishbugs.org^{[permanent dead link]}
^ Sprynar, P. (2005). "First Records of the Rhododendron Leafhopper (Graphocephala fennahi) (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae) from the Czech Republic" (PDF). Plant Protection Science. 41: 38–41. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2010-12-05.
^ Sergel, R. (1987). "On the occurrence and ecology of the Rhododendron-leafhopper,Graphocephala fennahi young 1977, in the Western Palaearctic region (Homoptera, Cicadellidae)". Anzeiger für Schädlingskunde Pflanzenschutz Umweltschutz. 60 (7): 134. doi:10.1007/BF01907495.

[1] ttp://www.britishbugs.org^{[permanent dead link]}

[2] Sprynar, P. (2005). "First Records of the Rhododendron Leafhopper (Graphocephala fennahi) (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae) from the Czech Republic" (PDF). Plant Protection Science. 41: 38–41. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2010-12-05.

[3] Sergel, R. (1987). "On the occurrence and ecology of the Rhododendron-leafhopper,Graphocephala fennahi young 1977, in the Western Palaearctic region (Homoptera, Cicadellidae)". Anzeiger für Schädlingskunde Pflanzenschutz Umweltschutz. 60 (7): 134. doi:10.1007/BF01907495.

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