Ricania speculum, common name Black planthopper or Ricaniid Planthopper, is a species of planthoppers belonging to the family Ricaniidae.[2]

Ricania speculum
Ricania speculum on citrus. Dorsal view
Lateral view
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Auchenorrhyncha
Infraorder: Fulgoromorpha
Family: Ricaniidae
Genus: Ricania
Species:
R. speculum
Binomial name
Ricania speculum
(Walker, 1851)
Synonyms[1]
  • Flatoides perforatus Walker, 1851[1]
  • Flatoides speculum Walker, 1851
  • Ricania malaya Stål, 1854

This species is considered a major agricultural pest for several crops in tropical and subtropical areas (apples, coffee plants, oil palms, Citrus species, etc.).[3][4][5][6]

Distribution and habitat

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This species is widespread in China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Philippines and Vietnam. Recently, it has been accidentally introduced in northern Italy, possibly with ornamental plants or crops.[7][8] This species can be found in the low-elevation mountains and prefers dark environments.[9]

Description

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Nymph of Ricania speculum

Ricania speculum can reach a length of about 8 millimetres (0.31 in), with a wingspan of about 15 millimetres (0.59 in). These planthoppers have dark brown wings with central wavy horizontal bands and irregular transparent patches of different sizes.[9][10] The precostal area of the forewings shows dense transverse veinlets and the costal margin is distinctly convex near the base.[4] In males the tip of the abdomen is pointed, while in females is rounded. The final instar nymphs are white with dark brown markings and waxy secretions on the abdomen.[11]

Biology

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These insects feed on sap that they suck from the leaves of the host plants. Ricania speculum has a single generation per year. The eggs overwinter in the bark of the branches waiting for the spring hatching.

References

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