Ormenoides

Adults can be distinguished from other flatid genera by their small size, flattened body form, and distinctive waxy coating. The combination of North American distribution, grey-green to bluish waxy bloom, and specific body proportions (length 7–7.5 mm, width ~2 mm) aids in genus-level identification. Species-level identification requires examination of genitalic structures and other fine morphological details.

Adults are small, dorsoventrally flattened planthoppers measuring approximately 7–7.5 mm long and 2 mm wide. The body is coated with a powdery bloom of grey, green, or bluish wax. Wings are broad and held tent-like over the body, typical of the family Flatidae. Nymphs produce dense, fluffy white wax secretions from abdominal glands that obscure the body.

Found on a variety of woody and herbaceous plants including roses, dogwoods, locusts, privets, hollies, and maples, as well as many herbaceous perennials and annuals. Nymphs and adults occur on stems and branches where they feed on vascular plant sap.

North America.

Nymphs emerge in spring from eggs inserted in plant stems the previous year. Adults are present from summer through autumn.

Phloem sap extracted from the vascular system of host plants using piercing-sucking mouthparts.

• Rosa - host plantadults and nymphs feed on stems
• Cornus - host plantcommonly known as dogwood
• Robinia - host plantcommonly known as locust
• Ligustrum - host plantcommonly known as privet
• Ilex - host plantcommonly known as holly
• Acer - host plantcommonly known as maple

Females insert eggs into plant stems. Eggs overwinter and hatch in spring. Nymphs pass through several instars, producing copious white wax, before molting to adults. Adults persist through summer and autumn.

Nymphs produce dense white wax filaments from abdominal glands, likely as a defense against predators and parasitoids. When disturbed, adults and nymphs are capable of hopping to escape. Adults tend to line up along stems and branches.

Feeding activity produces honeydew, which attracts ants and wasps and supports growth of sooty mold fungi. Serves as prey for lacewing larvae, ladybugs, and other predators, though wax secretions may provide protection. May cause minor plant damage through feeding and oviposition.

Generally causes minimal injury to garden plants; heavy feeding may cause terminal drooping, and oviposition may cause small branch or seedling wither. Control with insecticides is considered unwarranted. The white wax production by nymphs is visually conspicuous and sometimes mistaken for disease or pesticide residue.

• Metcalfa pruinosaAnother flatid planthopper with similar waxy appearance and North American distribution; adults differ in specific body shape and wax pattern
• AcanaloniidaeFamily of related planthoppers also producing waxy secretions; acanaloniid nymphs have different body form and adults are smaller leaf-mimics with more intricate wing venation
• Anormenis septentrionalisAnother North American flatid with similar biology; differs in adult coloration and specific host associations

• Flatidae
• planthopper
• North America
• sap-feeder
• wax-producing
• pest
• ornamental plants

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Waxy wanderers flocking flowers: Planthoppers - Flatidae and Acanaloniidae — Bug of the Week