Acericerus Vittifrons Leafhopper Acericerus/Idiocerus vittifrons

This attractive leafhopper with beautiful stained glass windows on its wings is believed to be Acericerus vittifrons, also called Idiocerus vittifrons.

There are several similar leafhoppers, especially in the Acericerus/Idiocerus genus, and all associated with willows/poplars or maples. These, taken at different times/places, are all suspected to be "vittifrons" even though some have a small white "parting" on the head (not as wide as the white channel on Idiocerus herrichi). All have the mark of a wolf's ears, eyes and muzzle on the scutellum.

I don't have a photo of full front, but these above suggest the black band coming beyond the chin almost to the little eyes (ocelli) like the male of A. vittifrons.

A. vittifrons likes maple trees (hence the move to rename the maple/sycamore group to Acericerus). A./I. ribauti also looks similar and favours maples but the scutellum pattern looks a little different. A. heydenii, a recent colonist to UK from continental Europe, has a very similar scutellum and may account for some of the darker individuals shown.

A./I. vittifrons is some 6-8mm long. It overwinters as an adult and is often seen in late autumn.