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Idiocerus ribauti

Leafhoppers in the Idiocerinae are large and often highly patterned, with a very broad, short vertex. The group is large and often very difficult to identify. Almost all are associated with poplars or willows.

This is one of two species found on maple. Females are extremely similar to the closely-related I. vittifrons; males can be distinguished by the short dark bar on the face which does not reach the ocelli and has a pale midline. The antennal palettes are also short (about an eighth as long as the remainder of the antenna).

First recorded in Britain during 2007 and probably locally common on field maple in the south-east at least.

Adult: August to December; overwinters
Length 5-6 mm
Idiocerus ribauti
Adult male: north London (November 2008) ©Tristan Bantock

Idiocerus ribauti Idiocerus ribauti
Adult male: south London (September 2007) ©Joe Botting
Adult male: north London (November 2008) ©Tristan Bantock