Macrosteles sardus

Length 3-4mm.  Macrosteles is an extremely difficult and diverse genus.  The vertex has several dark spots or bars and the frons has dark markings;  both features are variable.  The forewings are greyish or green-yellow, often with brown longitudinal streaks, patches or stripes, but colour and amount of the darker markings varies.    Dissection of the male to examine the internal genitalia - the aedeagus - or the internal abdominal structure - sternal apodemes - is needed to identify. 

Other Macrosteles species.

males

Dissection required, male aedeagus is characteristic. 

Associated with Great Hairy Willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum) in damp habitats. 

Discovered in southern Britain in 2020. Appears to be spreading.

Unknown.

Bloomfield, J et al (2024). Macrosteles sardus (Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadellidae) new to Britain.  Br.J.Ent.Nat.Hist. 37 73-82