Delphacid Planthoppers

Delphacidae

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Auchenorrhyncha
Infraorder: Fulgoromorpha
Superfamily: Delphacoidea
Family: Delphacidae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Delphacidae: /dɛlˈfæsɪdiː/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Liburniella ornata 337519542 by Annika Lindqvist. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Megamelus 1 by David Kinsler. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Conomelus anceps - Flickr - S. Rae (2) by S. Rae from Scotland, UK. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Javesella discolor, Carnedd Dafydd, North Wales, June 2019 2 by janetgraham84new. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Nothodelphax consimilis P1450956a by
xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Conomelus.anceps.-.lindsey by James K. Lindsey. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Summary

Delphacidae is a large family of planthoppers, numbering around 2000 described species worldwide. Known for their distinctive hindleg spur, they inhabit stable and moist environments, typically feeding on grasses. Their population dynamics can fluctuate greatly due to environmental conditions.

Physical Characteristics

1.5-10.0 mm in size, mostly 2-4 mm; thumblike antennae and prominent spur on the hind tarsus distinguish Delphacidae from other families.

Identification Tips

Adults may be either long-winged (macropterous) or short-winged (brachypterous). Brachypterous individuals can be confused with nymphs.

Habitat

Natural habitats that are ecologically stable such as grassy balds or wet meadows are particularly attractive for finding planthoppers.

Distribution

Evenly distributed on all continents and islands, except Antarctica; most species described from temperate regions, with surprising diversity in far northern regions such as Alaska and northern Canada.

Diet

All species are phytophagous, primarily feeding on grasses.

Life Cycle

Populations may vary significantly between years due to environmental conditions; abundant one year but nearly absent the next, especially during droughts.

Reproduction

Reproductive methods are not detailed in the provided information.

Ecosystem Role

Delphacids play a role in the ecosystem as herbivores, with certain species acting as vectors for cereal pathogens.

Economic Impact

Some species are significant pests in agriculture, notably the rice brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens), the white-backed planthopper (Sogatella furcifera), and the sugarcane planthopper (Perkinsiella saccharicida).

Evolution

Delphacini may benefit from more phylogenetic work and potential studies using mitogenomes for better classification.

Misconceptions

Brachypterous individuals can be mistaken for nymphs, causing confusion in species identification.