Flatidae
Guides
Flataloides
Flataloides is a genus of planthoppers in the family Flatidae, first described by Metcalf in 1938. Members of this genus belong to the subfamily Flatoidinae, a group characterized by flattened, often leaf-like body forms. The genus contains multiple species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions. Flatid planthoppers are known for their distinctive waxy secretions and hopping flight when disturbed.
Flataloides signata
Flataloides signata is a species of flatid planthopper in the family Flatidae, first described by Melichar in 1902. Like other flatid planthoppers, it possesses a distinctive broad, flattened body shape with wings held in a tent-like or roof-like manner over the abdomen. The species is recorded from Texas, though detailed ecological information remains limited in available sources.
Flatoidinus punctatus
Flatoidinus punctatus is a planthopper species in the family Flatidae, characterized by its flattened, often leaf-like body form typical of flatid planthoppers. The species was described by Walker in 1851 and occurs in the southeastern United States and Cuba. Like other flatids, adults possess wings that fold tent-like over the body, and nymphs produce waxy filaments for protection. The specific epithet 'punctatus' refers to punctate (spotted or dotted) markings on the body.
Flatormenis proxima
Northern Flatid Planthopper, Mealy Flatid Planthopper
Flatormenis proxima, commonly known as the northern flatid planthopper or mealy flatid planthopper, is a species of flatid planthopper in the family Flatidae. The species is attracted to blacklights and has been documented in autumn blacklight surveys in North America. As a member of the order Hemiptera, it possesses piercing-sucking mouthparts characteristic of true bugs.
Flatormenis saucia
Flatormenis saucia is a species of planthopper in the family Flatidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1912. The species belongs to the tribe Siphantini within the subfamily Flatinae. Planthoppers in this family are commonly known as flatid planthoppers and are recognized by their broad, flattened bodies and often waxy or powdery appearance. Flatormenis saucia is documented from the southwestern United States and adjacent regions.
Melormenis
Melormenis is a genus of planthoppers in the family Flatidae, first described by Metcalf in 1938. Members of this genus belong to the tribe Siphantini within the subfamily Flatinae. Flatid planthoppers are known for their broad, flattened bodies and wings that often form a triangular silhouette at rest. The genus is part of the diverse neotropical fauna of flatid planthoppers, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented for many species.
Melormenis basalis
West Indian Flatid Planthopper
Melormenis basalis is a species of flatid planthopper in the family Flatidae, commonly known as the West Indian Flatid Planthopper. It belongs to the order Hemiptera, the true bugs, and is characterized by the flattened, often leaf-like body form typical of the family Flatidae. The species has been recorded from several Caribbean islands and has established populations in Florida and Hawaii, indicating potential for human-mediated dispersal. Like other planthoppers, it feeds on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Metcalfa
Metcalfa is a genus of planthoppers in the family Flatidae, tribe Nephesini, native to North and Central America. The genus contains at least five described species, with Metcalfa pruinosa (citrus flatid planthopper) being the most economically significant due to its invasive spread to Europe and Asia. Adults are small, ranging 5.5–8 mm in length with a waxy, often bluish or grayish appearance. The genus is characterized by forewings with parallel cross-veins along the costal margin, distinguishing it from related families.
Mistharnophantia angusta
Mistharnophantia angusta is a species of planthopper in the family Flatidae, described by Doering and Shepherd in 1947. It belongs to the tribe Selizini within the subfamily Flatinae. Like other flatid planthoppers, it is likely a phloem-feeding insect associated with woody vegetation. The species is part of a genus with limited documented ecological information.
Mistharnophantia sima
Mistharnophantia sima is a planthopper species in the family Flatidae, first described by Doering and Shepherd in 1947. It belongs to the tribe Selizini within the subfamily Flatinae. The species has been recorded from the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. As a member of the Flatidae, it shares the family's characteristic broad, often flattened body form and cryptic coloration typical of many planthoppers.
Ormenaria
Ormenaria is a genus of flatid planthoppers in the family Flatidae, established by Metcalf and Bruner in 1948. The genus contains at least two described species native to North America, including the economically notable palm flatid planthopper (Ormenaria rufifascia). Species in this genus are characterized by their flattened, often leaf-like body form typical of flatid planthoppers. The genus is placed in the tribe Siphantini within the subfamily Flatinae.
Ormenaria barberi
Ormenaria barberi is a planthopper species in the family Flatidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1912. It belongs to the tribe Siphantini within the subfamily Flatinae. The species has been recorded in Arizona, with observations documented through citizen science platforms. As a member of the Flatidae family, it shares the characteristic broad, flattened body form typical of planthoppers in this group.
Ormenoides
Ormenoides is a genus of flatid planthoppers in the family Flatidae, established by Melichar in 1923. Adults typically measure 7–7.5 mm in length and 2 mm in width. The genus contains six recognized species distributed in North America. Like other flatids, members of this genus produce conspicuous white wax secretions, particularly during the nymphal stage.
Paradascalia
Paradascalia is a genus of planthoppers in the family Flatidae, established by Metcalf in 1938. It belongs to the tribe Selizini within the subfamily Flatinae. The genus is part of the diverse flatid planthopper radiation, characterized by their broad, often flattened bodies and wings held tent-like over the abdomen. Very little species-level documentation exists in readily accessible literature.
Paradascalia edax
Paradascalia edax is a species of planthopper in the family Flatidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1923. It belongs to the tribe Selizini and is one of relatively few documented species in the genus Paradascalia. Like other flatid planthoppers, it likely possesses the broad, flattened body form characteristic of this family. The species has been recorded from limited localities in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Petrusa epilepsis
Sea Grape Flatid
Petrusa epilepsis, commonly known as the Sea Grape Flatid, is a planthopper in the family Flatidae native to the Caribbean region. Adults are covered in a distinctive frosty, white waxy coating and hold their wings in a tent-like posture characteristic of the subfamily Flatinae. The species feeds on multiple host plants including seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera), coffee, coco-plum, jasmine, and black mangrove, and has been recorded as a pest causing direct feeding damage and promoting sooty mold growth through honeydew excretion. Originally described from Puerto Rico, it has been documented across the West Indies and has been detected in Florida, raising concerns about its potential to become an invasive pest in mainland tropical and subtropical regions.
Polykatianna radicula
Polykatianna sp-nr-radicula is a flatid planthopper in the family Flatidae, a group of fulgoroid insects characterized by broad, often flattened wings and a distinctive waxy coating. Members of this genus occur in tropical and subtropical regions and are primarily associated with woody vegetation. The species epithet "radicula" suggests possible association with root systems or basal plant parts, though this requires confirmation. Flatid planthoppers are generally sap-feeders on phloem and serve as hosts for parasitoid wasps.
Siphanta
Siphanta is a genus of planthoppers in the family Flatidae, characterized by distinct morphological features of the head and thorax. Most species are native to Australia, with some introduced to other regions. Members are herbivorous, with at least one species known to be polyphagous and economically significant as a pest of agricultural and ornamental plants.
Siphantini
Siphantini is a tribe of planthoppers within the family Flatidae, subfamily Flatinae. Members are classified in the infraorder Fulgoromorpha, an ancient lineage of Hemiptera characterized by their distinctive head morphology. The tribe was established by Melichar in 1923 and contains multiple genera distributed across tropical and subtropical regions. Siphantini planthoppers are recognized for their flattened, often leaf-like body form that provides camouflage among foliage.