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Oncopsis tristis
Family: Cicadellidae

 Oncopsis species are sexually dimorphic and also rather variable; identification can be complex. The genus is distinguished from Macropsis by the striations on the pronotum, which are parallel to the hind margin.

O. tristis occurs on birch but is slightly smaller than O. flavicollis and O. subangulata. In males, there is an obvious rounded brown spot on the forewing, in the region of the m-cu cross vein (arrowed, right). The apical cells are also darkened and there is usually a dark band across the middle of the face. Females have a very short ovipositor.

A common species on birch throughout the UK.

Adult: June to September
Length 4.0-4.5 mm
 Oncopsis tristis (m)
Adult male: north London (August 2008) ©Tristan Bantock
Oncopsis tristis (m) Oncopsis tristis (m)
Adult male: north London (July 2008) ©Tristan Bantock

 		Adult male: north London (July 2008) ©Tristan Bantock
Oncopsis tristis (f) Oncopsis tristis (f)
Adult female: Yorks (July 2008) ©Joe Botting

 		Adult female: Yorks (July 2008) ©Joe Botting