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

Photo by Jack Clark, University of California Adult glassy-winged sharpshooter

Glassy-winged sharpshooter adult

• Approximately 1/2 inch (11 to 13 mm) long.
• Body shape is parallel-sided with a pointed head.
• Wings are partly transparent with reddish veins, folded flat over the body.
• Dark brown to black in color with ivory white undersides and belly.
• Top of head has small, ivory-to-yellow spots.
• Underside shows piercing/sucking mouthparts.
• Muscles that operate the feeding pump give the face a swollen appearance.
• Length of hind tibia has two rows of small spines.
• While resting, they shift their bodies from side-to-side (inspiring the name "sharpshooters").

Photo by Jack Clark, University of California
Fifth instar nymph (left), adult glassy-winged sharpshooter (right)

• The Glassy-winged sharpshooter has five nymphal (immature) stages.
• Nymphal length ranges from 1/16 inch (2 mm) long for the first stage up to 3/8 inch (9 mm) for the fifth stage.
• Nymphs are olive-gray with prominent reddish eyes.
• Immatures are wingless and have softer bodies.
• Immatures have piercing/sucking mouthparts and a bulging face.

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