Evacanthus acuminatus Fabricius, 1794
Description & Identification
E. acuminatus is a large and distinctive leafhopper. Superficially, it resembles E. interruptus in size and shape, but lacks the latter’s bright yellow coloration. In adult males, the wings are roughly as long as the abdomen; in females, the tip of the abdomen protrudes distinctly beyond the wings. Adults are typically 5 - 7mm long, females being somewhat larger than males.
As with all leafhoppers, the hind tibiae have one to three rows of spines running along the entire length. E. acuminatus has a keel (raised ridge) on the vertex in the form of three arcs, and variably-shaped dark markings against a pale background. The forewings are greyish or dirty yellow with dark brown patches.
(Harkin & Stewart 2019)
Biology & Ecology
E. acuminatus is found predominantly in grassy or herb-rich clearings and margins in woodlands and forests. It is rare to find more than a few individuals.
Females lay eggs in the autumn and nymphs emerge the following spring. Nymphs moults five times before emerging as adults. Adults can be found between June and September.
(Harkin & Stewart 2019)
Classification
Synonymy
Cicada acuminata Fabricius, 1794
Euacanthus acuminata (Fabricius, 1794)
Iassus acuminatus (Fabricius, 1794)
Tettigonia acuminata (Fabricius, 1794)
Cicada acuminalis Turton, 1802
Cicada interstincta Fallén, 1806
Amblycephalus germari Curtis, 1833
Evacanthus orbitalis Fitch, 1851
Tettigonia orbitalis (Fitch, 1851)
Common Names (full list)
Source: Taxon list of Auchenorrhyncha from Germany compiled in the context of the GBOL project
Additional Images
Images provided by GBIF data providers. We cannot verify that identifications are correct.
Worldwide Distribution
UK Status: Present
Evacanthus acuminatus is widespread in Britain, with most records from the southern half of England, but it is rarely common.
Vector Status
E. acuminatus feeds on the liquid contents of the xylem vessels of its host plant. As such, it is a potential vector of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa which has caused the death of many olive trees in southern Europe, although this disease has not been detected in the UK. (Harkin & Stewart 2019)
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