Lesley Ingram, Bugwood.org

Class: Hexapoda

Order: Neoptera

Family: Fulgoroidea

Synonym(s): Poeciloptera acuta

Adult Description: Adult Torpedo Bugs (Siphanta acuta) are bright green in color with veins along their dorsal side mimicking a leaf. Their eyes are pink and the head comes to point, giving this insect a torpedo shape and an aerodynamic structure. The wingspan of the adult Torpedo bug is about 25mm. Once in the adult stage, life expectancy of S. acuta is only around 2 months.

Larva Description: The name Torpedo bug is believed to be derived from the nymphs ability to jump large distances (as far as 60 cm).

Early instars are light green with waxy filaments protruding from the abdomen, and a white powder covering the entire body. Later instars lose the white powder, and red marks appear on the dorsal side of the abdomen. However, there is some debate to the specific color changes that the nymphs take on from various instars.

Host Plant: Siphanta acuta is found on: banana, citrus, coffee, guava, macadamia, and many ornamental plants.

History: Although S. acuta originated in Australia, it was thought to be introduced to New Zealand and Hawaii prior to 1898. The Torpedo bug was introduced to the U.S. first in California and was believed to be established by 1983.

Biology: The adult female S. acuta lays egg in clutch sizes of 100 that hatch within 10 to 20 days. The eggs are laid on stems or leaves of the host plant in a dome like shape with semi-transparent cement holding the mass together. Newly emerged nymphs advance through 5 instars.

Ecological Threat: Siphanta acuta has been known to eradicate large numbers of native trees in Hawaii as well as coffee and other cultivated crops (listed above under host plant). Siphanta acuta secrete a viscous honeydew liquid on the plant while it feeds. This secretion quickly becomes a culture for fungus and mold to grown on. The spread of fungus prevents the host plant from carrying out photosynthesis and can result in death of the plant or disfigurement if not treated.

US Habitat: Siphanta acuta feeds mostly ornamental plants or citrus groves (see list of host plants).

Distribution

Native Origin: Siphanta acuta originated in Australia.

US States: Currently, S. acuta is considered established in California, but is spreading south and east.

Texas:

Resembles:

Management: Currently, there are no known pesticides for S. acuta. However, in Hawaii parasites and predators have been identified and shown to reduce populations. Aphanomerus pusillus is a known parasite to Torpedo bug eggs, Chrysopa microphya is known to feed on the nymph stage of the Torpedo bug, Nesomimesa antennata paralyzes the Torpedo bug and uses the body as a host for nests, and several known coccinellid beetles feed upon Torpedo bug eggs. S. acuta is also susceptible to a parasitic fungus in wet conditions that will eradicate the pest.

Text References

Myers, J.G. 1922. Life-History of Siphanta acuta (Walk.), the Large Green Plant-Hopper. New Zealand J. Sci. Tech. 5: 256-263.

Fullaway, D.T. and N.L.H. Krauss. 1945. Siphanta acuta (Walker). pp. 57. In: Common Insects of Hawaii. Tongg Publishing Company; Honolulu, Hawaii. 228 pages.

Zimmerman, E.C. 1948. Siphanta acuta (Walker). pp. 249-251. In: Insects of Hawaii Volume 4: Homoptera: Flatidae. University of Hawaii Press: Honolulu. 268 pages.

Gagne, Wayne. "Canopy-Associated Arthropods In Acacia Koa And Metrosideros Tree Communities Along An Altitudinal Transect On Hawaii Island." Pacific Insects. 21.1 (1979): 56-82. Web. 7 Sep. 2011. .

Internet Sources

http://bugguide.net/
http://www.itis.gov/
http://www.extento.hawaii.edu/

Data Source

Last Updated: 2011-09-12 by Amber Bartelt - Sam Houston State University