Family: Cicadellidae
Subfamily: Cicadellinae
Length: circa 12 mm
As an adult, Oncometopia orbona is most numerous in West Virginia in June and July, but has been photographed in the Mountain State as late as October.
The Broad-headed Sharpshooter is a widespread species found in places as varied as New York, Oklahoma, and California. In West Virginia, it is reasonably common statewide.
Researchers have noted that this species tends to feed on herbaceous plants in meadows and fields, but then returns to more sheltered areas in fall, living on trees and shrubs.
This venerable species was first described by Fabricius in 1798. It is the most common species in the genus.
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Right: This female has brachysomes on the side of her forewing; she will scrape these waxy particles off her sides and use them to cover her eggs, offering them protection from desiccation and parasitoid wasps.
