The Broad-Headed Sharpshooter, an Insect of Vibrant Colors

Dr. Raul T. Villanueva

PRINCETON, KETUCKY

   I observed a colorful large-sized leafhopper while working in North Carolina, Texas, and Kentucky. The bright colors of this insect caught the attention of students, the public, and personnel that work in my program, and I was asked on repeated occasions about this insect.

   This leafhopper is the broad-headed sharpshooter Oncometopia orbona (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). I have frequently observed this insect in soybeans, corn, and sunflowers this year. The presence in corn and soybeans may be incidental or due to the drought we experienced this year (Figure 1).

Description & Importance

   The broad-headed sharpshooter has a yellow head and scutellum (shield shaped portion of the thorax), and a bright bluish color on the dorsal anterior part of the thorax and the forewings. This combination of contrasting colors stands out with the green background of the foliage (Figures 1, 2 and 3). It has two pairs of large protruding compound eyes, and it is 1.1 to 1.3 cm (0.43 to 0.51 inch) in length. This insect also has modified hind legs that allow it to jump rapidly when disturbed.

   This insect uses tiny piercing mouthparts to suck juices from plants. The broad-headed sharpshooter has potential importance in grapes because it can serve as a vector of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, the causal agent of Pierce’s disease on grapes. Pierce’s disease is a deadly debilitating disease of grapevines. In corn and soybeans, where this sharpshooter was observed with regular frequency this year, it may be feeding on these plants, but it has not caused any known damage or disease transmission.  ∆

   DR. RAUL T. VILLANUEAU: Entomology Extension Specialist, University of Kentucky

 Figure 2. Lateral view of the broad-headed sharpshooter (Photo: Raul T. Villanueva, UK).