About Graphocephala coccinea (Forster, 1771)
Graphocephala coccinea, formally described by Forster in 1771, is a brightly colored leafhopper species that lives in meadows and woodlands. It is native to North and Central America, with a range extending from Canada in the north down to Panama in the south. This species has several common names: candy-striped leafhopper, red-banded leafhopper, scarlet-and-green leafhopper, red-and-blue leafhopper, and sharpshooter. Adult individuals of this species measure between 6.7 and 8.4 millimeters in length. They have distinct vivid patterning: the wings and upper thorax feature blue or green stripes paired with red or orange-red stripes, while the head, legs, abdomen, and other body regions are bright yellow. Like all leafhoppers, this species feeds on plant sap using specialized mouthparts.
