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Hoppers of Zihuatanejo

SUBORDER AUCHENORRYNCHA

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

-Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)

-Insects (Class Insecta)

-Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)

-True Bugs, Hoppers, Aphids, and Allies (Order Hemiptera)

-True Hoppers (Suborder Auchenorrhyncha)

-Leafhoppers and Treehoppers (Superfamily Membracoidea)

-Typical Leafhoppers (Family Cicadellidae)

-Microleafhoppers (Subfamily Typhlocybinae)

-Tribe Dikraneurini

-Genus Alconeura

-Alconeura fulminea


Members of the genus Alconeura are tiny leafhoppers (subfamily Typhlocybinae) that inhabit the undersides of leaves in tropical and subtropical forests. Like other microleafhoppers, they have slender, wedge-shaped bodies usually less than 4 mm long, translucent or brightly patterned wings, and hind legs with rows of small spines adapted for quick jumps. They feed by piercing plant tissues with their stylet-like mouthparts and drawing out sap.

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Alconeura fulminea

Description

  • Alconeura fulminea is a small microleafhopper in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Typhlocybinae, and tribe Dikraneurini. Like other members of Alconeura, it is a delicate, wedge-shaped leafhopper with relatively broad wings, slender legs, and a small body adapted for living among foliage. Its subtle markings and pale to greenish-brown colouration provide camouflage on leaves and stems.

Range

  • Alconeura fulminea is a North American species with records from Mexico and the United States. It may occur in Guerrero and around Zihuatanejo where suitable vegetation is present.

Habitat

  • It is associated with vegetation in warm terrestrial habitats, including woodland, forest edges, scrub, gardens, and other areas supporting suitable shrubs and herbaceous plants. Adults are typically found on foliage, where their small size and subdued colouring make them inconspicuous.

Diet

  • Alconeura fulminea feeds by piercing plant tissues and sucking plant sap. Like other Dikraneurini, it is primarily a foliage-feeding herbivore and likely uses a variety of woody and herbaceous plants within its habitat.

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