Eurymela fenestrata
Later stage nymph instar of Eurymela fenestrata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Auchenorrhyncha
Family: Cicadellidae
Genus: Eurymela
Species:
E. fenestrata
Binomial name
Eurymela fenestrata

Eurymela fenestrata, widely known as the common jassid[3] and sometimes as the large gum treehopper, is a species of leafhopper found throughout mainland Australia.

Description

The common jassid is a large leafhopper, adults reaching a length of 15 mm (0.6 in). The body shape has been compared to a bison, and is robust and wedge-shaped, broad at the front and bluntly tapering at the back. The wide prothorax is red and the abdomen brown and deep violet, with several white patches on the wings. The limbs are black. The nymphs are reddish-brown marked with black.[4]

Ecology

Jassid nymphs being tended by meat ants

Leafhoppers are hemimetabolous insects with incomplete metamorphosis. They have an egg stage, five nymphal stages and an adult stage. In this species there is normally a single generation each year. Like other leafhoppers, the common jassid sucks sap from plants, in this case, various species of Eucalyptus.[4] The sap is a watery fluid and large quantities need to be ingested for the insects to obtain all the nutrients they need. The excess liquid is excreted as honeydew and sooty mould often grows on this.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Species Eurymela fenestrata Le Peletier & Serville, 1825". Australian Faunal Directory. Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  2. ↑ "Genus Eurymela Le Peletier & Serville". Agricultural Scientific Collections Unit Insect Keys. Department of Primary Industries (New South Wales). Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  3. ↑ Phillips, Charlma (June 1992). "PIRSA Forestry Leafhoppers". PIRSA Forestry. Department of Primary Industries & Regions, South Australia. Archived from the original on 29 May 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  4. 1 2 Chew, Peter. "Common Jassid - Eurymela fenestrata". Brisbane Insects and Spiders. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  5. ↑ Costa, James T. (2006). The Other Insect Societies. Harvard University Press. pp. 246–247. ISBN 978-0-674-02163-1.
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