glassywinged

Glassywinged is a descriptive English term used primarily in entomology to describe insects with wings that appear exceptionally translucent or glass-like. It is not a formal taxonomic name. The best-known example is the glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca vitripennis, a leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae. In this species, the wings are held flat over the body at rest and can look clear or iridescent, contributing to the glass-like impression.

Glassy-winged sharpshooters are native to parts of the Americas but have become notable pests in agricultural spaces when they occur in large numbers. They are especially significant as vectors of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, which causes diseases such as Pierce’s disease in grapevines and various scorch diseases in other plants. Their ability to spread pathogens makes them a concern for vineyards, citrus groves, and some ornamental plant production.

In broader usage, the term glassy-winged may appear in field guides or horticultural literature as a descriptive label for other insect species that have similarly clear wings. In pest-management contexts, recognizing insects described as glassy-winged aids in monitoring and targeted control efforts. Management generally relies on integrated pest management approaches, including surveillance, habitat modification, and selective chemical or biological control measures in affected regions.