# Versute Sharpshooter (*Graphocephala versuta*) The Versute Sharpshooter is a colorful insect known for its bright green and yellow body. It loves to suck the juice from plants and can be found hopping around in gardens and fields. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 26 - **Habitat:** Gardens ![Versute Sharpshooter](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Graphocephala_versuta_P1210437a.jpg&width=800) Photo: xpda, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Graphocephala_versuta_P1210437a.jpg) ## Appearance The Versute Sharpshooter is a striking small insect, typically bright green with distinctive red or orange longitudinal stripes running down its back. Its body is somewhat wedge-shaped, differing from many other garden bugs by these vivid markings. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hemiptera - **Family:** Cicadellidae - **Genus:** Graphocephala ## Interesting facts - A tiny Versute Sharpshooter can spread harmful plant diseases to garden plants. - They often hide their tiny eggs safely inside plant stems or under leaves. - This insect got its 'sharpshooter' name for how it forcefully squirts excess plant sap! - Young sharpshooters shed their skin many times as they grow, just like a snake! ## Special abilities - **Super Jumper:** Versute Sharpshooter can leap incredible distances because of powerful hind legs that help them escape predators quickly. - **Plant Sucker:** Versute Sharpshooter has a special straw-like mouthpart (stylet) that helps them expertly pierce plant stems to drink sap. - **Honeydew Squirt:** Versute Sharpshooter can eject excess sugary sap (honeydew) from its body, sometimes in a small forceful stream. - **Vibration Talker:** Versute Sharpshooter can send vibrations through plants using special body parts to communicate with other sharpshooters. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 7-12 mm - **Size:** 3-6 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-90 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding This insect drinks plant sap using its straw-like mouthparts to get nutrients. - **Primary Foods:** grapevine sap, rhododendron sap, rose sap, oak sap, maple sap - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** Common Grapevine (*Vitis vinifera*) — Feeds on sap from its stems and leaves. - **Depends on:** Common Rhododendron (*Rhododendron ponticum*) — Uses this plant as a food source for sap. - **Eaten by:** Flower Crab Spider (*Misumena vatia*) — Often ambushed and consumed by this predatory spider. - **Eaten by:** Spined Soldier Bug (*Podisus maculiventris*) — Frequently preyed upon by this generalist predatory insect. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low These insects are harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Versute Sharpshooter? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Versute Sharpshooter's wingspan? 7-12 mm ### How big is Versute Sharpshooter? 3-6 mm ### How long does Versute Sharpshooter live? 30-90 days ### What does Versute Sharpshooter eat? This insect drinks plant sap using its straw-like mouthparts to get nutrients. ### Where is Versute Sharpshooter usually found? Gardens ### How does Versute Sharpshooter hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Versute Sharpshooter have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Audubon Place Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/audubon-place-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Cleveland Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cleveland-park) — District of Columbia, US · Neighborhood - [Delaware and Raritan Canal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/delaware-and-raritan-canal) — New Jersey, US · Historic Site - [Downtown Tuscaloosa Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/downtown-tuscaloosa-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Garland Hill Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/garland-hill-historic-district) — Virginia, US · Historic District - [Gloucester Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gloucester-downtown-historic-district) — Virginia, US · Historic District [View all places to see Versute Sharpshooter](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/versute-sharpshooter) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Versute Sharpshooter: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/versute-sharpshooter)