About Cercopis vulnerata (Rossi, 1807)
Cercopis vulnerata (Rossi, 1807) is a species of froghopper. Males of this species measure 8.9–10.5 millimetres (0.35–0.41 inches) in length, while females measure 8.2–10.5 millimetres (0.32–0.41 inches). These froghoppers have an elongated body with strong protective armor. Their bodies are a shiny black, with bright red markings on the elytra: one triangular mark at the base, one square mark in the middle, and a stripe at the apex. This coloration acts as a warning to predators that Cercopis vulnerata has an unpleasant taste. The hind wings are brownish, smoky, and translucent. The upper abdomen is black, with narrow red stripes along the rear edges of the tergites. This species is very similar to Cercopis sanguinolenta, but it has larger red markings and a U-shaped rear stripe. It is also similar in appearance to two other species: Cercopis intermedia and Haematoloma dorsata. This species is found across most of Europe, including Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Greece, Spain, the former Yugoslavia, Moldova, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, Great Britain, and Italy. Cercopis vulnerata lives in habitats that include sunny southern mountain slopes, grasslands, meadows, spruce forest edges, moors, road verges, clearings, and city parks. They can be found growing on woody or herbaceous plants, most commonly in wooded areas.
