Arthropods Daily – Issue No. 344

The Issus coleoptratus is a common species found in the western Palearctic realm, Near East, and North Africa. They live on shrubbery, foliage of woody plants, and deciduous trees in mixed forests. These insects are small, reaching a length of 5.5-7.0 millimeters, and their coloration can vary from light brown to nearly black. They are unable to fly and feed on the phloem of various trees. The nymphs have a gear-like structure on the base of their hind legs, which helps synchronize their jumping. This is the first planthopper species in which the function of these gears has been described.