Eurymeloides bicincta

Two-lined gum-treehopper
Adult demonstrating a symbiotic relationship with meat ants
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Homoptera
Suborder: Auchenorrhyncha
Infraorder: Cicadomorpha
Superfamily: Membracoidea
Family: Cicadellidae
Genus: Eurymeloides
Species: E. bicincta
Binomial name
Eurymeloides bicincta
Erichson, 1842

Eurymeloides bicincta, commonly known as the two-lined gum-treehopper, is a leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae. It is the type species of the genus Eurymeloides.[1] It is a sap-sucking insect and is found on gum-trees in its native southeastern Australia.

Description

Eurymeloides bicincta grows to a length of about 8 mm (0.3 in). The adult is wedge-shaped and is black with large orange eyes and white lines on its wings. The nymphs are orange.[2]

Ecology

Eurymeloides bicincta is found on Eucalyptus trees where both nymphs and adults have piercing mouthparts and suck the sap. The excess fluid is secreted and is fed upon by ants which are often found associated with the leafhoppers. The ants do not harm the leafhoppers but may drive off potential predators.[2]

Some sand wasps in the tribe Nyssonini prey on this leafhopper, carrying off adults to provision the cells in which they lay their eggs.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Cornelius, P. F.; Sysoev, A. V. "Applications and Opinions: Case 2755". International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature. Retrieved 2014-12-04.
  2. 1 2 "Two-lined Gum Leafhopper: Eurymeloides bicincta". Brisbane Insects. Retrieved 2014-12-04.
  3. ↑ Evans, H. E.; Matthews, R. W. (1971). "Nesting behaviour and larval stages of some Australian nyssonine sand wasps (Hymenoptera : Sphecidae)". Australian Journal of Zoology. 19 (3): 293–310. doi:10.1071/ZO9710293.
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