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| description |
This species ranges in color from pale green to a dull brown/yellow. The face frequently has brown lines on either side of the midline, and there are often orange markings on the vertex and pronotum; there tend to be dark longitudinal bands on the pronotum. The wings vary from having scattered brown/black dots to being unspotted; the abdominal dorsum is dark. The head is distinctly narrower than the pronotum, which is overall triangular in shape; this results in the head having a strong curve around the pronotum and therefore appearing pointed rather than circular. The female pregenital sternite has a truncated posterior margin, sometimes slightly sinuate. The vertex is typically no longer in the middle than next to the eye, though in some specimens it is longer. Adult males are 3.6 to 4.7 mm long, females are 3.7 to 4.4 mm. (Blocker, 1967)
For images of some specimens, see: BOLD. For more images of a pinned specimen and diagrams of pattern and genitalia, see: 3i. |
| distribution |
Cosmopolitan, found throughout North America, Europe, Australasia, and Northern Africa (3i) |
| abundance |
Previously reported from North Carolina but unclear from where. |
| seasonal_occurrence | |
| habitat |
Grasslands, fields, similar habitat; forest edge. |
| plant associates |
Grasses; Knight (1987) reports the following host plants for this species from North America: Elymus sp., Poa compressa, Prunus avium (sweet cherry) |
| behavior |
Can be attracted at night with a light. |
| comments |
Probably introduced from Europe at some point, there seems to be some uncertainty about the presence of this species in parts of North America and whether records labeled punctata actually represent this species. It is very similar to B. impicta and probably cannot be conclusively separated from this species without analyzing the genitalia of a male. Both species have a high degree of variability in both color (ranging from yellow to green) and pattern (with or without spots across the wings and body). The single photographic record below is being left here for the time being. |
status |
[Native:]
[Introduced:]
[Extirpated:] | | list_type |
[Official:]
[Provisional:] |
| adult_id | Unmistakable and widely known Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens
Identifiable from photos showing undersides, or other specialized views [e.g., legs, face]
Identifiable only by close inspection of structural features or by DNA analysis NULL |
| nymph_id | Unmistakable and widely known Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants
Identifiable from close inspection of specimens or by DNA analysis
Identifiable only through rearing to adulthood NULL |
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Species Photo Gallery for Balclutha punctata No Common Name |
 | Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf, Brian Bockhahn
Halifax Co.
Comment: attracted at night with a light |
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