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Zygina suavis
Family: Cicadellidae

Zygina is a complex genus of eight species, most with a distinctive red zig-zag pattern. The patterns are variable, and identification can be difficult; care must be taken to look at the right combination of features and microscopic confirmation is necessary in some cases. Females may not be identifiable. 

Males of Z. suavis can be separated by the long (half the length of hind tibia) and entirely dark hind tarsus. This is shared with Z. tiliae, however, and although the base of the basal segment is often markedly paler in this species (below right), dissection of genitalia and apodemes is needed to separate them with certainty. 

Local on various deciduous trees, but particularly Frangula alnu(Alder Buckthorn), and overwintering on pines.

Adult: mainly August/September; may overwinter.
Length 3 mm
Zygina suavis
Adult male: Huddersfield (November 2009) ©Joe Botting

Zygina suavis Zygina suavis
Adult male: Huddersfield (November 2009) ©Joe Botting
Adult male hind tarsus: Cheshire (November 2009) ©Steve Tomlinson

Zygina suavis
Adult male: Cheshire (November 2009) ©Steve Tomlinson