gwsslookalikes

The Glassy Winged-Sharpshooter and Commonly Confused Look-A-Likes

Adult glassy-winged sharpshooter

Look-A-Like (Click on images to enlarge) Similar characteristics Distinguishing characteristics

Cicada adult

Clear membraneous wings.

Piercing, sucking mouthparts.

Wings folded at an angle, forming a roof or tent over the body.

Larger in size, 1 to 2 inches long.

Well-developed first pair of legs (expanded front tibia).

Look-A-Like (Click on images to enlarge) Similar characteristics Distinguishing characteristics

Spittlebug adult (Click on each distinct image)

Some have similar coloration, variable from brownish yellow to rusty brown.

Some approximately same size or smaller size.

Piercing, sucking mouthparts.

Body shape broader mid-body (frog shaped or almond shaped) tapering toward the front and the end (not parallel-sided).

Hind tibia with a circlet of spines at apex .

Look-A-Like (Click on images to enlarge) Similar characteristics Distinguishing characteristics

Click beetle adult

Brown coloration.

Elongate-narrow body.

May attain length of 1/2 inch (13 mm).

Front wings hard and opaque

Chewing-type mouthparts (mandibulate).

Narrow gap between and thorax (trunk) and abdomen.

Posterior corners of the thorax prolonged backward into sharp points.

Look-A-Like (Click on images to enlarge) Similar characteristics Distinguishing characteristics

Branch and twig borer adult

Dark brown coloration.

Cylindrical in shape.

Approximately same size, 3/8 to 3/5 inch (8 to 16 mm).

Front wings are hard and opaque.

Chewing-type mouthparts (mandibulate).

Thorax wider near the head than at its base.

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Photos by Jack Clark, University of California, except where noted

Any questions regarding this website should be directed to the webmaster at: cesonoma@ucdavis.edu

Look-A-Like (Click on images to enlarge)	Similar characteristics	Distinguishing characteristics
Cicada adult	Clear membraneous wings. Piercing, sucking mouthparts.	Wings folded at an angle, forming a roof or tent over the body. Larger in size, 1 to 2 inches long. Well-developed first pair of legs (expanded front tibia).
Look-A-Like (Click on images to enlarge)	Similar characteristics	Distinguishing characteristics
Spittlebug adult (Click on each distinct image)	Some have similar coloration, variable from brownish yellow to rusty brown. Some approximately same size or smaller size. Piercing, sucking mouthparts.	Body shape broader mid-body (frog shaped or almond shaped) tapering toward the front and the end (not parallel-sided). Hind tibia with a circlet of spines at apex .
Look-A-Like (Click on images to enlarge)	Similar characteristics	Distinguishing characteristics
Click beetle adult	Brown coloration. Elongate-narrow body. May attain length of 1/2 inch (13 mm).	Front wings hard and opaque Chewing-type mouthparts (mandibulate). Narrow gap between and thorax (trunk) and abdomen. Posterior corners of the thorax prolonged backward into sharp points.
Look-A-Like (Click on images to enlarge)	Similar characteristics	Distinguishing characteristics
Branch and twig borer adult	Dark brown coloration. Cylindrical in shape. Approximately same size, 3/8 to 3/5 inch (8 to 16 mm).	Front wings are hard and opaque. Chewing-type mouthparts (mandibulate). Thorax wider near the head than at its base.