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ID small red-winged insect #814784

Asked October 20, 2022, 5:42 PM EDT

Found this winged insect on an orchid stalk. Didn't appear to be doing any harm. Must have come in from outdoors? Recently brought a few potted plants indoors due to frost conditions. I'm usually pretty good at search IDs for plants and critters, but came up blank on this one. It made no attempt to fly away, just moved around on the stem. I tried to mash it as gently as I could.

Montgomery County Maryland

Expert Response

This likely hitched a ride in by accident from outdoors, and appears to be a type of leafhopper called a sharpshooter. Leafhoppers feed on plant sap, though to our knowledge they are not a pest of orchids. A common and widespread species in Maryland with this type of patterning is the Broad-headed Sharpshooter; while the marbling on the wings is typically bluer, some individuals can be more rosy-colored.

Miri
Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied October 21, 2022, 11:02 AM EDT

Thanks for the info! Fascinating. The “rosy wings” must have thrown my searches off since wings are typically bluer.

 


Again, thanks!

 


Ruth

 

The Question Asker Replied October 21, 2022, 1:40 PM EDT
You're welcome.
Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied October 21, 2022, 2:01 PM EDT

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