#zeoliarus

[drhoz]

#2306 - Zeoliarus sp.

A genus of Cixiid planthopper, endemic to New Zealand, with two known species atkinsoni and oppositus. I'm 90% certain this one is the latter.

Both species used to be in the genus Oliarus, until the new genus got erected just for them.

Unfortunately both are vectors of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma australiense’ a plant disease responsible for Australian Grapevine Yellow, Cordyline sudden decline and Coprosma lethal decline, among others. Zeoliarus atkinsoni is monophagous on New Zealand flax (Phormium spp.), but Z. oppositus is polyphagous and can vector ‘Ca. P. australiense’ to both Coprosma robusta (karamu) and Cordyline australis (New Zealand cabbage tree).

Horopito, North Island Volcanic plateau, New Zealand