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Balclutha punctata
Family: Cicadellidae

A highly variable species which is nonetheless reasonably distinctive. The vertex, as seen from above, is very narrow, and the pronotum sharply pointed anteriorly.

There are three basic colour forms, shown here. The darker form (right) has forewing spots in the same positions as the pale form, but extended into broad patches. It usually has an additional two dark spots on the pronotum. Other specimens are distinctly reddish or orange, with the same range of dark markings. The pattern on the scutellum (best seen below) often serves to confirm identification.

Reasonably common and widespread across Britain, usually found on grasses but overwintering on firs and other evergreens.

Adult: February to November
Length 4 mm
 Balclutha punctata
Adult: Dudley (August 2007) ©Brian Kilford
Red form Balclutha punctata
Adult: north London (February 2008) ©Tristan Bantock

 		Adult: south London (June 2007) ©Joe Botting
Balclutha punctata Red form
Adult: Cheshire (April 2008) ©Shane Farrell

 Adult female: Huddersfield (January 2008) ©Joe Botting
Balclutha punctata Balclutha punctata
Adult: north London (June 2008) ©Tristan Bantock Adult: Yorks December 2008) ©Joe Botting