Opsius stactogalus (Fieber)

Caution

Many of the insects depicted on these pages are outwardly similar and you should not use photographs as the sole means of identification. These pages form part of a scientific key which will assist a trained entomologist to identify the species accurately.

Opsius stactogalus (Fieber 1866)

Common Name: Tamarix Leafhopper

Subfamily/Tribe: Deltocephalinae: Opsiini

Distribution: This European species was first recorded in Australia by Evans (1977) in WA. Since then it has also been found in every other State of Australia except NT and Tas.

Economic Status: Its only rccorded host is Tamarix although the species is usually collected at light traps rather than in association with a host and may have a broader range of host species.

Notes: O. stactogalus can be easily confused with many of the species of Batracomorphus (Cicadellidae: Iassinae) found in Australia but the shape of the head differs. In Opsius the vertex is longer in the centre than against the eyes and curves evenly to the face. In Batracomorphus the vertex is narrow, of even width throughout and hangs down anteriorly over the face.