Cercopid Spittle Bugs of the New World (Hemiptera, Auchenorrhyncha, Cercopidae)

South America processes a staggering number of insect species.

Whilst most people are familiar with its butterflies few realise that there is a group of equally colourful and interesting insects.

These are commonly referred to as either Spittle bugs, due to the watery excreta produced by the young or Frog-hoppers, the latter referring to their great ability to jump.

In South America, they are also known for the serious damage they cause to pasture grasses and sugar-cane.

This book provides the first comprehensive and beautifully illustrated guide to this family of jewel-like insects.

Nearly every species is included in superb colour together with line drawings to aid identification.

Stunning pictures are also given of the insects in the wild.

This book is aimed at museum curators, researchers, agronomists and amateur hobbyist and it hoped that it will stimulate further work on this fascinating and richly colourful group of insects.

The text includes a complete checklist of species with comprehensive synonomies and chapters on classification, reproduction and biology. Gervasio Silva Carvalho is Professor in the Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande do Sul - Porto Alegre, Brazil.

He has published approximately 27 papers on morphology, systematics, ecology, and biogeography of insects.

His interest in Neotropical Auchenorrhyncha (particularly Cercopidae) started with his Masters degree (1979-1981) and continued with his PhD thesis obtained in 1992 under Professor Albino Morimasa Sakakibara.

Mick Webb is Curator of Hemiptera at the Natural History Museum, London.

On joining the museum in 1966 he worked under Dr. Bill Knight from whom he developed his interest in Auchenorrhyncha.

The museums rich collections from throughout the World has enabled Mick to publish widely on tropical cicadellids (his main interest) while his contact with scientists from throughout the World, both at the BM and during official visits abroad, has resulted in many rewarding collaborative projects.