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Megopthalmus scabripennis
Family: Cicadellidae

 A very distinctive genus which has an angular vertex and ridges forming a raised X shape on the face.

The two species are difficult to separate, requiring very close up examination or dissection. In M. scabripennis, the wing membrane is finely tuberculate, as opposed to ridged, and the hind wings short, around half the length of the forewings (variable but normally longer in M. scanicus). Females are much lighter in colouring (below).

This is a reasonably common species on grasses in Wales and England as far north as Lancashire, usually inhabiting sandy places.

 Adult: April to October
Length 2.5-4 mm
 Megopthalmus scabripennis
Adult male: north Wales (July 2008) ©Tristan Bantock
Megopthalmus scabripennis Megopthalmus scabripennis
Adult male: Knighton, Powys (July 2008) ©Joe Botting
 Adult male: north Wales (July 2008) ©Tristan Bantock
Megopthalmus scabripennis Megopthalmus scabripennis
Adult female: north Wales (July 2008) ©Tristan Bantock
 Adult female forewing detail ©Tristan Bantock