Halticus

Hahn, 1833

fleahoppers, jumping plant bugs

Species Guides

Halticus is a of fleahoppers in the Miridae, containing at least 20 described . Members are commonly known as jumping plant bugs due to their characteristic leaping . Some species are economically significant agricultural pests, particularly of cotton and sweet potato, while at least one species has been identified as a putative of phytoplasma plant .

Halticus by (c) Konstantin Grebennikov, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Konstantin Grebennikov. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Halticus: /ˈhæl.tɪ.kəs/

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Images

Habitat

Agricultural crop environments including cotton fields, sweet potato fields, and other cultivated areas; also found in natural settings on wild plants. At least one occupies tropical coastal on coral reef islands.

Distribution

Widely distributed in Asia; documented in China including the Xisha Islands; specific range varies by .

Diet

Phytophagous; feeds on plant sap.

Behavior

Exhibits jumping when disturbed; are active flyers that readily flit within plant . Some are difficult to due to rapid movement and tendency to hide within plant canopies when disturbed.

Ecological Role

Economically important agricultural pest of multiple crops including cotton, sweet potato, soybean, bean, corn, wheat, barley, eggplant, tobacco, and alfalfa. At least one serves as a putative for 16SrII-A phytoplasma transmission in tropical coastal .

Human Relevance

Significant agricultural pest requiring monitoring and management in cotton and other crops; applications may be necessary when exceed action thresholds.

Similar Taxa

Lygus bugs (Lygus spp.)Both are mirid plant bugs with that damage cotton squares; cotton fleahoppers are smaller (about 1/8 inch vs. 1/4 inch), more active flyers, and lack the conspicuous dark triangle on the back characteristic of lygus bugs.
Verde plant bug (Creontiades signatus)Nymphs are similar in size and coloration; late instar cotton fleahopper nymphs are distinguished by small black dots on the hind tibiae.
Aphids and leafhopper nymphsSmall nymphs may be confused with these ; cotton fleahopper nymphs have a broader body shape, quicker movements, and larger size.