Issidae

Spinola, 1839

Issid Planthoppers

Subfamily Guides

is a of planthoppers in the order Hemiptera, suborder Auchenorrhyncha, superfamily Fulgoroidea. Members are small insects with stocky bodies and wings that develop primarily in width rather than length. The family has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with many former now recognized as separate families including Caliscelidae, Nogodinidae, and Tropiduchidae. The family currently contains approximately 215 , though remain uncertain.

Issus by (c) gailhampshire, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Fowlerium productum by (c) jimeckert49, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Exortus fuscomaculosus by no rights reserved, uploaded by Lyn Roueche. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Issidae: /ɪˈsaɪdiː/

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

Identification

Distinguished from other planthopper by the combination of: stocky body form with wings developing primarily in width; forewings with strongly pronounced ribs that wrap the at rest; two ocelli present on the ; and generally subdued brownish coloration. Formerly included groups now separated as Caliscelidae, Nogodinidae, and Tropiduchidae based on molecular and morphological data.

Images

Appearance

Small insects with stocky, compact bodies. Wings develop mainly in width, wrapping the when at rest. Forewings possess strong pronounced ribs. Body coloration is generally inconspicuous, typically brownish without striking patterns. bears two ocelli.

Distribution

occur throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Documented from Europe, the Middle East, temperate Asia, China (including Hainan and Yunnan provinces), Vietnam, Iran, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Iberian Peninsula. The oldest fossil record is Cubicostissus from the Paleocene Menat Formation of France.

Human Relevance

Some are economically significant as agricultural pests, causing reduced crop yield through feeding, oviposition, and transmission of microorganisms to plants. The has been the subject of notable biomechanical research, including the discovery of functional mechanical gear structures in Issus nymphs (though similar structures occur in most planthoppers).

Similar Taxa

CaliscelidaeFormerly included as Caliscelinae in ; separated based on morphological and molecular data.
NogodinidaeFormerly included in ; tribe Colpopterini and Iranissus transferred to this based on revised .
TropiduchidaeFormerly included as Tonginae and Trienopinae in ; now recognized as distinct .

More Details

Taxonomic Instability

The of has been in flux, with major revisions around 2003 and ongoing. The Catalogue of Life lists in five tribes: Issini, Parahiraciini, Hemisphaeriini, Thioniini, and Kodaianellini. Four are currently recognized: Hemisphaeriinae, Hysteropterinae, Issinae, and Thioniinae.

Biomechanical Significance

In 2013, researchers described functional mechanical gears in the hind legs of Issus nymphs. These structures synchronize leg movements during jumping. However, identical structures are known in most planthoppers and had been documented for decades prior to the functional discovery.

Fossil Record

The oldest confirmed fossil is Cubicostissus from the Paleocene (Selandian) Menat Formation of France, assigned to tribe Hysteropterini. calibrations suggest diversification occurred during the Upper Cretaceous.