Kinnarid Planthoppers

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Kinnaridae: //kɪnˈnærɪˌdiː//

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Summary

Kinnaridae is a small family of fulgoroid planthoppers established by Muir in 1925, comprising over 100 species across more than 20 genera worldwide, with a few species found in North America.

Physical Characteristics

Adults have a small head that is narrower than the thorax; the vertex is narrow and about as long as it is wide. The frons is longer than wide, lacking a median keel but featuring two lateral carinae. Three simple eyes are usually present. The antenna is small with a globose pedicel. The sucking mouthparts form the rostrum or beak, which reaches between the hind femur or the tip of the abdomen and has a long segment at the tip. The pronotum is short and wider than the head. The wings are transparent with long, parallel-sided forewings and venation consisting of claval veins that join near the apex without any granulation. The hind tibia do not have lateral spines.

Identification Tips

Kinnarid Planthoppers can be identified by their small size, narrow vertex, and the structure of their rostrum. The unique venation of the forewings and absence of granulation along the claval veins also distinguish them from the closely related Meenoplidae.

Habitat

Nymphs are typically found subterranean, while adults are commonly located on the above-ground portions of plants and even on roots.

Distribution

Primarily found in the Oriental and Neotropical regions, with a few species present in the Nearctic and Palaearctic regions.

Diet

Most species are reported as monophagous, with a few host records indicating a preference for Asteraceae or Lamiaceae.

Life Cycle

Nymphal habits and host biology are largely unknown; however, nymphs are subterranean and undergo development before emerging as adults.

Similar Taxa

• Meenoplidae

Tags

• Kinnaridae
• planthoppers
• insects
• hemiptera