sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

This is one of two Sharpshooter Leafhoppers that I have preserved in my collection of specimens. I pulled it out to see how it was holding up as well as to stage it for a focus stacking session.

We typically think of a pest as one that directly damages the fruits or vegetables in our gardens. The Sharpshooter Leafhopper is that and far worse. Sharpshooters can cause physical damage to plants by the insertion of their mouthparts or by robbing the plant of important nutrients. More importantly, however, is their ability to vector infectious pathogens from plant to plant. Some of these pathogens include viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms. The bacterium blocks the water-conducting xylem tissue causing 'scorch symptoms' in diseased plants. Sharpshooters can acquire the bacterium after they feed on an infected plant so their ability to spread disease can be widespread. They are known as the scourge of wine country and they can kill grape-vines wiping out an entire vineyard.

The orange lines on its face are the muscles that it uses to suck, like a pump, the juices of the plants that they feed on.

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ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

That's a beautiful shot!
Isn't it strange that the eyes point to the sides?

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Nicely done. It looks benign in the shot, maybe because it's dead?

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks, Elliott. Their eyes are round globes on the side of the head.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks, Curmudgeon. I think that they look quite colorful and interesting. What makes them so destructive is the bacteria that they transmit and it is the bacteria that starves the plant of drawing water and nourishment and the plants simply wilt and wither away and there is nothing that can be done to save them.

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Very good!
Eyes to the side are a typical feature of herbivores. This is to help them look out for predators.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks, Mark. That would come in handy at the Salad Bar

tinusbum Loc: east texas

thats a big one! nice one

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks, Tinusbum. Magnification sure does bring them up close and personal.

napabob Loc: Napa CA

another nice stack.......

hope to never see one locally.........

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks, Napabob. For the sake of Napa Valley, I hope so too. They are truly a vineyard's domestic terrorist.

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

I look at all your posts Gary but, even though all are brilliant, I don't always comment, I have run out of superlatives. Please take it that I am watching and admiring and am not just passing by. Your work is something quite special.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Thanks, Brenda. It's quite warming to know that you are always out there. That's the way it is with others as well as me. I view as many and I can here in all of the venues and so many are fantastic yet it's not always possible to comment on each and every one.