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Dicranotropis hamata
Family: Delphacidae

A common planthopper which is usually brachypterous. Males are distinctive with a dark abdomen and pale forewings which have a dark spot at the tip of the clavus. In addition, the genital segment is strongly extended backwards and the apical margin is deeply emarginate (unlike the rarer upland species D. divergens).

Females are less easy to identify, although the keels on the face are useful features. These are evenly spaced across the vertex and the median keel is forked in the upper part of the frons.

Occurs on various grasses in moist or dry sites; widespread and common across England, Wales and southern Scotland.

Adult: May to September
Length 3.0-4.5 mm
Dicranotropis hamata
Adult male: Suffolk (May 2009) ©Tristan Bantock

Dicranotropis hamata Dicranotropis hamata
Adult male: Suffolk (May 2009) ©Tristan Bantock

Adult female: Berks (June 2009) ©Jonathan Michaelson