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. The species was introduced to Great Britain in the 1930s and continental Europe in the 1970s. There has been suggestion that the rhododendron leafhopper contributes to the spread of a rhododendron fungus (Pycnostysanus azaleae) through Europe.
They are small as 8–10 mm and have 4 orange stripes down their elytra. Their metamorphosis are incomplete, and those creatures are diurnal. 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
It is native to the mountains of southern Virginia, the western Carolinas, and northern Georgia. Recently observed (Aug 2024) in Northern Illinois (Suburban Chicago).
They are recorded in grassy lands, as well as in mixed hardwood forests, usually found in rhododendron areas.
Rhododendron leafhoppers are usually vital food for ladybugs, spiders, and some parasitic wasps. They are afraid of Harmonia axyridis, the Harlequin Ladybird.
The Rhododendron leafhopper emerges from late spring and dies in November (timeline includes: May, June, July, August, September, October and November).
Graphocephala fennahi on rhododendron bud
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Graphocephala fennahi the free encyclopedia Wikipedia which is released under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License). On Wikipedia a list of authors is available.
This is not intended to be a dry lexicon. Personal stories and sensitive articles form the framework for our pictures: „System critical“
Who is actually needed here?
