Halticus

Hahn, 1833

fleahoppers, jumping plant bugs

Halticus is a of fleahoppers in the , containing at least 20 described . Members are commonly known as jumping 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 .

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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Habitat

Agricultural 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

; feeds on sap.

Behavior

Exhibits jumping when disturbed; are active flyers that readily flit within . 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 including cotton, sweet potato, soybean, bean, corn, wheat, barley, eggplant, , and alfalfa. At least one serves as a putative for 16SrII-A phytoplasma transmission in tropical coastal .

Human Relevance

Significant agricultural pest requiring and management in cotton and other ; may be necessary when exceed .

Similar Taxa

Lygus bugs (Lygus spp.)Both are 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 .
Verde plant bug (Creontiades signatus) are similar in size and coloration; late cotton fleahopper nymphs are distinguished by small black dots on the hind .
Aphids and leafhopper nymphsSmall may be confused with these ; cotton fleahopper nymphs have a broader body shape, quicker movements, and larger size.