British Bugs
HOME A BIT ABOUT BUGS GALLERY SYSTEMATIC LISTS RECORDING BUGS CONTACT US LINKS

Dikraneura variata
Family: Cicadellidae

A widespread and fairly common species found on grassy heaths across Britain. It is the only species of Dikraneura found in the UK, and can be recognised by the eye shape (significantly longer than high) and position (a line joining the posterior points of the eyes would meet around half-way across the pronotum. Note that both adult and nymph have a slightly swollen base to the final (long) antennal segment.

Identification is complicated by a red colour morph, which is particulalry common in overwintering forms, and in which the patterning can be much clearer.

Adult: February to October, but sometimes overwintering.
Length 3 mm
 D variata
Adult: Kilner Bank, Huddersfield (January 2008) ©Joe Botting
ventral
 face
Adult: east London (September 2008) ©Tristan Bantock
 Adult: east London (September 2008) ©Tristan Bantock
Dikraneura variata red form,. side view
Adult: Kilner Bank, Huddersfield (January 2008) ©Joe Botting

 Adult, red form: Yorks (January 2008) ©Joe Botting
red form nymph
Adult, red form: Yorks (January 2008) ©Joe Botting

 		Nymph: Kilner Bank, Huddersfield (January 2008) ©Joe Botting