Oncopsis alni is one of the more chunky leafhoppers and it lives almost exclusively on Alder, hence the alni in its name. As I’ve been strolling along my various local walking routes this Spring, I’ve been checking the Alder trees for signs of leafhoppers, and have seen quite a lot of nymphs of various sizes but, as they’ve been juveniles, I haven’t been certain of their identification.

Now that some of the nymphs are reaching adulthood, it’s possible to be somewhat more certain. Although the Naturespot website warns that this species ‘can only be identified by examination of internal genital structure’, the information on the British Bugs website is a bit more optimistic. For one thing, and with the proviso that bugs don’t always stick to the rules, this is the only member of the Oncopsis genus that is found on Alder. Also, ‘although males can show extensive dark markings on the upper part of the face, the discoidal spots below these are small in both sexes’, and I think I can see this distinguishing feature in my various photos. I should add a disclaimer though: my finds have not yet been verified by the national recorder.