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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)

-Subfamily Deltocephalinae

-Tribe Acinopterini

-Genus Acinopterus


Leafhoppers of the genus Acinopterus are small, robust insects widely distributed throughout Mexico, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Usually measuring between 5 and 7 millimetres, they exhibit cryptic coloration ranging from pale green to straw-yellow or brownish-grey, often marked with intricate, vein-like dark patterns that help them blend in with the grasses and shrubs they inhabit. They are known as generalist feeders that use their piercing-sucking mouthparts to extract sap from a variety of host plants, including desert scrub and agricultural crops. They are agile jumpers and capable fliers.

Acinopterus Leafhopper

Acinopterus (Genus)

Description

  • Acinopterus is a genus of small leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Deltocephalinae, and tribe Acinopterini. Species are generally compact, wedge-shaped insects with a sloping head, relatively broad wings, and short to moderately long hind legs adapted for jumping. Colouration varies among species and commonly includes green, brown, grey, yellowish, or reddish tones, sometimes with contrasting markings.

Range

  • Acinopterus is a New World genus widely distributed across North and South America, with numerous species occurring in Mexico and the southwestern United States. Mexican records include western, southern, and central regions, including Guerrero, making the genus suitable for the Zihuatanejo region.

Habitat

  • These leafhoppers occur in a variety of warm terrestrial habitats, including tropical dry forest, scrub, grassland, woodland edges, agricultural areas, and other vegetation-rich environments. They are generally found on grasses, herbs, shrubs, and other plants where they feed and seek shelter.

Diet

  • Acinopterus species are plant-feeders that use piercing-sucking mouthparts to obtain sap from vascular plants. Different species utilise grasses and other herbaceous plants, shrubs, and cultivated vegetation, and some have been encountered in agricultural crops such as peppers.

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