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Delphacodes venosus
Family: Delphacidae

As in Megamelodes (in which it was formerly included),  the lateral keels of the pronotum reach the hind margin, separating the genus from most delphacids. The forewings of Delphacodes do not have the apical spots of that genus, and are mostly brownish. Unlike the superficially similar Javesella dubia, the frons keels are not pale.

In D. venosus, the frons is entirely brown, whereas in the rarer D. capnodes it is pale at the base. The forewings are uniformly yellow-brown, with darker veins, whereas D. capnodes has some darker brown markings. The forewings are rather

Typically found in marshy areas, and often associated with Sphagnum, sedges or rushes, where it is commonly found near their base. The host itself is a range of grasses including Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca and Mollinia caerulea; sedges may also act as hosts.


Adult: March to November
Length 1.5-2 mm, macropters  around 3.5 mm

Delphacodes venosus
Adult female: Huddersfield (March 2010) ©Joe Botting
Delphacodes venosus
Adult female: Huddersfield (March 2010) ©Joe Botting