Fulgoroidea

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Auchenorrhyncha
Infraorder: Fulgoromorpha
Superfamily: Fulgoroidea

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Fulgoroidea: /fʊlˈɡɔrɔɪdɪə/

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

Images

Acanalonia conica P1300221a by
xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Acanalonia conica 313018512 by christine123. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Acanalonia fasciata by Katja Schulz. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Acanalonia conica Kaldari by Ryan Kaldari. Used under a Public domain license.

Acanalonia immaculata by jcowles. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Planthopper nymph - Acanalonia bivittata, Julie Metz Wetlands, Woodbridge, Virginia by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Summary

The superfamily Fulgoroidea consists of a diverse group of planthoppers, recognized for their unique morphology and ecological roles as sap suckers and disease vectors in plant systems. They are characterized by their flattened bodies and distinctive wing positioning.

Physical Characteristics

Planthoppers are laterally flattened and hold their broad wings vertically in a tent-like fashion. They have thickened, three-segmented antennae and exhibit a bifurcate (Y-shaped) anal vein in their forewings. Nymphs produce wax from special glands on their abdomens, and many adult females produce wax to protect their eggs.

Identification Tips

Fulgoroids can be distinguished by the bifurcate anal vein in the forewing and the three-segmented antennae with a round or egg-shaped second segment.

Habitat

Planthoppers are distributed worldwide, typically found in environments where they can feed on plants.

Distribution

They are found globally with over 12,500 described species.

Diet

Planthoppers are plant-feeders, primarily feeding by sucking sap from various plants.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of planthoppers includes an egg stage, multiple nymph stages, and an adult stage. Nymphs produce honeydew while feeding.

Reproduction

Females lay eggs, and in many families, they produce wax to protect their eggs.

Ecosystem Role

Planthoppers play a role in the ecosystem as herbivores that feed on plant sap and as vectors for plant diseases, especially phytoplasmas.

Economic Impact

Some species, such as Haplaxius crudus, are considered pests as they are vectors for diseases like lethal yellowing in palms.

Evolution

Fulgoroidea evolved alongside various plant species, and their morphology reflects adaptations to different ecological niches.

Similar Taxa

Delphacoidea

Misconceptions

Some may confuse planthoppers with grasshoppers due to their jumping ability, but they are more closely related to other plant-feeding insects.