This is a HIGHLY variable species with at least five recognized color forms. See below:
Form I: Head is light yellow; pronotum is yellow with a red triangle towards the posterior margin. The scutellum has the outer angles red, forming an inverted V. The wings wings have a red band extending from the base to the apical crossveins, along the commissural margin; there is a dark spot in each of the three apical basal cells, forming a band that is obliquely slanted towards the costal margin. The rest of the wing is yellowish, with darker tips. The abdomen has a dark brown median band dorsally, yellow ventrally; male subgenital plates are also yellow.
Form II: The head is yellowish-white; the pronotum is yellow, light brown posteriorly. The scutellum is light brown. The wings are light to dark brown without any apical spots. The abdomen has a median dark brown band dorsally, yellow ventrally; male subgenital plates are also yellow.
Form III: The head, pronotum, and scutellum are bright yellow. The wings are pale red throughout, with hyaline tips; there can be a dark brown band around the apical crossveins. The abdomen and male plates are yellow.
Form IV: The head, pronotum, and scutellum are yellow-orange. The wings are a deep orange color throughout with hyaline tips; there can be a dark band around the apical crossveins. The abdomen and male plates are yellow.
Form V: The head, pronotum, scutellum, and wings are white to ivory without any dark markings.
On top of the different forms, there is color intergradation between forms 1 and II, I and V, II and V, and sometimes III and IV. Adults are 3.25-4.0 mm long. (Christian, 1953) |