Kockave

kockave is a name that has appeared in recent entomological literature as the common designation for a newly described genus of leaf‑hoppers within the family Cicadellidae. The term was coined by the South African Department of Agriculture in 2024 to honor Dr. B. Kock, a prominent insect biologist whose work on the taxonomy of grassland insects spanned several decades. The generic name is a portmanteau of the scientist’s surname and the Latin word *ave*, meaning “bird”, a reference to the high‑altitude flight patterns observed in early field studies.

The genus kockave is placed in the subfamily Deltocephalinae, tribe Nymphaeini, and is distinguished from related genera by a combination of morphological characters. Key distinguishing features include a distinctive occipital ridge, a patterned vertex with a pale, transverse stripe, and the presence of two plectoneme‐like spines on the femora of the hind legs. Adults exhibit a wing length of 4.3–5.6 mm, a pronotum that is moderately convex, and colorations ranging from olive green to a bright citrus yellow. Female kockaves carry eggs in clusters on the host plant’s underside, while males produce a characteristic tapping song used for mate attraction.

The first specimens were recorded from the Drakensberg Basin, where they were found on Poaceae species such as *Eragrostis curvula*. Subsequent surveys have detected the genus in adjacent high‑land grasslands across Botswana and Zimbabwe, suggesting a preference for temperate plateau ecosystems. Kockave species have a univoltine life cycle, emerging in late spring and overwintering underground as nymphs.

Although no known agricultural economic impact has been recorded, kockaves are considered of ecological importance as bioindicators of grassland health. Their distinct vocalization patterns have prompted research into acoustic monitoring as a non‑invasive survey method. Ongoing studies aim to clarify species diversity within the genus and assess potential vulnerability to habitat alteration.