Euconomelus lepidus

Euconomelus lepidus

Description

A small but distinctive planthopper associated with Spike-rush, Eleocharis palustris.   The front parts of the forewings are pale and speckled with dark spots, and there is a dark brown band across the hind part.  The forewings in both sexes have white patches along the hind margins, giving a scalloped look. The keels on the pronotum and vertex are pale, and there are pale bands on the front and mid tibia. 

Similar Species

Conomelus anceps also has speckled forewings, but does not have the distinct white patches along the hind edge of the forewing

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

A photograph showing the white patches on the margins of the forewings is needed.  Also note the habitat and associated plant species

Habitat

Margins of water bodies, flushes, springs and other wet places, with Spike-rush

UK Status

Local (ref.: UK Auchenorryncha checklist 2021 on British Bugs website)

VC55 Status

Scarce

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured squares = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records