The Nearctic Species of<i>Macrosteles</i>(Homoptera: Cicadellidae)

Abstract

The correct identifications of North American species of leafhoppers of the genus Macrosteles (sensu lato) are important because of the economic significance of one of them as a carrier of a virus disease of many species of plants. In the past, such identifications have been difficult to make because the extent of the variation in colour, markings, and structure that occurs has not been appreciated fully, because some species were misidentified in previous revisions, and because there were a number of unrecognized species in the fauna.