Macugonalia moesta

Macugonalia moesta · Order: Hemiptera · Family: Cicadellidae

Damages trees, gardens or crops. It can spread the plant disease Xylella fastidiosa, which harms citrus trees.

Macugonalia moesta is a small blue bug about 6-7 mm long with distinctive blue and black markings on its back and a white band on its head. It occurs in several South American countries, including Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru and Suriname. The insect feeds on a variety of herbaceous plants such as Wedelia, Ayapana, Heliotropium, basil, Hyptis and Aristolochia. Together with a close relative, it has been noted as a possible carrier of Xylella fastidiosa in citrus orchards.

Source: Wikipedia

How to recognize it

Its back shows two spots that look like a central blue band flanked by black, while the thorax is black with a blue stripe that ends near the eyes; the head has a white band between the eyes covering the ocelli.

Source: Wikipedia

Size

The bug measures roughly 6.7 mm in length.

Source: Wikipedia

What it eats

It has been found on plants such as Wedelia trilobata, Ayapana pallustrus, Heliotropium indicum, basil, Hyptis mutabilis and Aristolochia iquitensis.

Source: Wikipedia

Lookalikes

Along with Macugonalia umbrosa, it may act as a vector for the citrus pathogen Xylella fastidiosa in Brazil.

Source: Wikipedia

Questions people ask

What does Macugonalia moesta look like?

It is a tiny blue insect about 6-7 mm long with a blue-black patterned back, a black thorax with a blue stripe, and a white band on the head between the eyes.

Source: Wikipedia

What plants does it feed on?

It visits several herbaceous plants, including Wedelia, Ayapana, Heliotropium, basil, Hyptis and Aristolochia species.

Source: Wikipedia

Is it a problem for citrus trees?

Yes, it has been observed as a possible carrier of the disease Xylella fastidiosa that affects citrus orchards.

Source: Wikipedia