A planthopper is any
insect in the
infraorderFulgoromorpha,[1] in the suborder
Auchenorrhyncha,[2] a group exceeding 12,500 described species worldwide. The name comes from their remarkable resemblance to leaves and other plants of their environment and that they often "hop" for quick transportation in a similar way to that of
grasshoppers. However, planthoppers generally walk very slowly. Distributed worldwide, all members of this group are plant-feeders, though few are considered pests. The infraorder contains 2
superfamily,
Fulgoroidea and
Delphacoidea. Fulgoroids are most reliably distinguished from the other
Auchenorrhyncha by two features; the bifurcate (Y-shaped)
anal vein in the forewing, and the thickened, three-segmented
antennae, with a generally round or egg-shaped second segment (pedicel) that bears a fine filamentous
arista.
Overview
Planthoppers are laterally flattened and hold their broad wings vertically, in a tent-like fashion, concealing the sides of the body and part of the legs.[3] Nymphs of many fulgoroids produce wax from special glands on the abdominal
terga and other parts of the body. These are
hydrophobic and help conceal the insects. Adult females of many families also produce wax which may be used to protect eggs.[4]
Fulgoroid nymphs also possess a biological
gear mechanism at the base of the hind legs, which keeps the legs in synchrony when the insects jump. The gears, not present in the adults, were known for decades[5] before the recent description of their function.[6]
Planthoppers are often
vectors for plant diseases, especially
phytoplasmas which live in the
phloem of plants and can be transmitted by planthoppers when feeding.[7]
Both planthopper adults and nymphs feed by sucking sap from plants; in so doing, the nymphs produce copious quantities of
honeydew, on which
sooty mould often grows.[3] One species considered to be a pest is Haplaxius crudus, which is a vector for
lethal yellowing, a
palm disease that nearly killed off the Jamaican Tall
coconut variety.[9]
Classification
As mentioned under
Auchenorrhyncha, some authors use the name Archaeorrhyncha as a replacement for the Fulgoromorpha.
^Evans, J. W. (1946). "A natural classification of leaf-hoppers (Jassoidea, Homoptera). Part 1. External morphology and systematic position". Transactions of the Royal Entomological Society of London. 96 (3): 47–60.
doi:
10.1111/j.1365-2311.1946.tb00442.x.
^
abBoggs, Joe (14 June 2016).
"Planthoppers". Bug Bytes. Ohio State University Extension. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
^
abDietrich, C. H. (2009). "Auchenorrhyncha: (Cicadas, Spittlebugs, Leafhoppers, Treehoppers, and Planthoppers)". In Resh, V. H.; Carde, R. T. (eds.). Encyclopedia of Insects (2nd ed.). Academic Press. pp. 56–64.
doi:
10.1016/B978-0-12-374144-8.00015-1.
ISBN978-0-12-374144-8.
^Sander, K. (1957). "Bau und Funktion des Sprungapparates von Pyrilla perpusilla Walker (Homoptera – Fulgoridae)". Zoologische Jahrbücher: Abteilung für Anatomie und Ontogenie der Tiere Abteilung für Anatomie und Ontogenie der Tiere. 75: 383–388.
Swzedo J.; Bourgoin T.; Lefèbvre, F. 2004: An annotated catalogue of Fulgoromorpha, :37–137. In: Fossil Planthoppers (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha) of the world. An annotated catalogue with notes on Hemiptera classification. Swzedo, J., Th. Bourgoin & F. Lefèbvre. J. Swzedo edt., Warsaw 2004, 199 pp + 8 pl.