Planthopper
Guides
Pelitropis
Pelitropis is a genus of tropiduchid planthoppers in the family Tropiduchidae, established by Van Duzee in 1908. The genus contains approximately five described species, distributed primarily in the Neotropical region including the Caribbean and southern United States. At least one species, Pelitropis rotulata, has been documented feeding on grasses in the family Poaceae. The genus is classified within the tribe Tangiini and subtribe Neotangiina.
Penepissonotus bicolor
None known
Penepissonotus bicolor is a species of planthopper in the family Delphacidae, described by Beamer in 1950. It belongs to a genus of small, grass-feeding delphacids found in North America. The species is recorded from several eastern and central U.S. states. Like other delphacids, it is presumed to feed on grasses, though specific host plant associations have not been documented in the available literature.
Pentagramma bivittata
Pentagramma bivittata is a species of delphacid planthopper in the family Delphacidae. It has been recorded from British Columbia, Kansas, Nebraska, Ohio, and Texas in North America, with broader distribution reported across the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. As a member of the subfamily Asiracinae and tribe Idiosystanini, it belongs to a specialized group within the planthopper family Delphacidae.
Pentagramma douglasensis
Pentagramma douglasensis is a species of planthopper in the family Delphacidae, first described by Penner in 1947. It belongs to the tribe Idiosystanini within the subfamily Asiracinae. The species is known from North America. Like other delphacids, it possesses a characteristic movable spur on the hind tibia. Information about its biology and ecology remains limited.
Pentagramma vittatifrons
Pentagramma vittatifrons is a small delphacid planthopper first described by Uhler in 1876. It is a specialist herbivore with a documented association to Schoenoplectus pungens, a sedge commonly found in wetland habitats. The species occurs across multiple regions in North America, with records from both Canada and the United States.
Pentastiridius
Pentastiridius is a genus of planthoppers in the family Cixiidae with nearly cosmopolitan distribution. The genus includes at least three described species, with P. leporinus emerging as a significant agricultural pest in central Europe. This species vectors two bacterial pathogens causing syndrome "basses richesses" in sugar beet and related diseases in potato and carrot. Originally associated with reed grass (Phragmites australis), P. leporinus has undergone rapid host range expansion to become polyphagous on crops.
Pentastiridius cinnamomeus
Pentastiridius cinnamomeus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, tribe Pentastirini. The species was described by Provancher in 1889. Like other cixiids, it is a small, jumping insect with membranous wings. The genus Pentastiridius includes species associated with various host plants, though specific ecological details for P. cinnamomeus remain poorly documented.
Pentastirini
Pentastirini is a diverse tribe of cixiid planthoppers comprising more than 50 genera and approximately 730 described species. Members are distributed across all continents except Antarctica. Species within this tribe are known to harbor two distinct bacteriome-inhabiting symbionts: 'Candidatus Sulcia muelleri' and 'Candidatus Purcelliella pentastirinorum'.
Peregrinus
Peregrinus is a genus of planthoppers in the family Delphacidae (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha), established by Kirkaldy in 1904. The genus is classified within the subfamily Delphacinae and tribe Delphacini. It belongs to the superfamily Delphacoidea, one of the largest groups of fulgoromorphan planthoppers. Species in this genus are part of the diverse assemblage of delphacid planthoppers found across various habitats.
Peregrinus maidis
corn planthopper, corn delphacid, sorghum shoot bug, shoot bug
Peregrinus maidis is a small planthopper in the family Delphacidae, widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. It is a significant agricultural pest of maize, sorghum, and sugarcane, causing direct damage through phloem feeding and acting as a vector for several important plant viruses including maize mosaic virus and maize stripe virus. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in size, with females larger than males, and displays wing dimorphism with brachypterous (short-winged) and macropterous (long-winged) forms that develop in response to environmental conditions.
Perkinsiella
Perkinsiella is a genus of delphacid planthoppers in the family Delphacidae, containing more than 30 described species. Several species are significant agricultural pests, particularly of sugarcane. Perkinsiella saccharicida and P. vastatrix are known vectors of Fiji disease virus (FDV), which causes Fiji leaf gall in sugarcane. The genus has a broad distribution across Africa, Asia, Australasia, and the Pacific Islands.
Persis
Persis is a genus of planthoppers in the family Derbidae, order Hemiptera. These insects belong to the subfamily Derbinae and tribe Cenchreini. The genus was established by Carl Stål in 1862. Members of Derbidae are typically associated with woody plants and are known for their distinctive wing morphology.
Persis arizonensis
Persis arizonensis is a derbid planthopper in the family Derbidae, order Hemiptera. It is a small, presumably phytophagous insect known from limited records in Arizona and Sonora, Mexico. The species was described in 1986 and remains poorly documented in published literature.
Persis ferox
Persis ferox is a species of planthopper in the family Derbidae, described by O'Brien in 1986. It belongs to the order Hemiptera, a group of true bugs characterized by piercing-sucking mouthparts. The species is known from the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. As a member of the Derbidae, it is likely associated with plant-feeding habits typical of this family, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Petrusa
Petrusa is a genus of planthoppers in the family Flatidae, subfamily Flatinae. Members of this genus are found in the Neotropical region, with Petrusa epilepsis being a notable species associated with seagrape and other host plants in the Caribbean. The genus is characterized by the typical flatid morphology with wings held tent-like over the body and parallel cross-veins along the costal margin of the forewings.
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.
Phrictopyga
Phrictopyga is a genus of delphacid planthoppers in the family Delphacidae, established by Caldwell in 1951. The genus comprises approximately 12 described species. These insects belong to the diverse group of fulgoromorph planthoppers within the order Hemiptera. At least one species, Phrictopyga holmgreni, has been documented from Argentina.
Phyllodinus
Phyllodinus is a genus of delphacid planthoppers in the family Delphacidae. The genus contains six described species distributed across Asia and North America. It was established by Van Duzee in 1897. Species in this genus are small, jumping insects associated with grasses and sedges.
Phylloscelis atra
Black Leaf-leg
Phylloscelis atra is a planthopper species in the family Dictyopharidae, commonly known as the Black Leaf-leg. First described by Germar in 1839, this species belongs to a group of fulgoromorph insects characterized by their distinctive flattened, leaf-like hind tibiae that give the genus its common name. The species has been subject to taxonomic confusion, with some sources listing it as a synonym of Isodaemon orontes in family Achilidae, though current consensus places it in Dictyopharidae. Observations are relatively well-documented, with over 500 records on iNaturalist.
Phylloscelis pallescens
Phylloscelis pallescens is a species of planthopper in the family Dictyopharidae, first described by Germar in 1839. It belongs to the tribe Phylloscelini, characterized by leaf-like body forms. The species has been recorded in several central and southeastern U.S. states including Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, and Kansas.
Phylloscelis pennata
Phylloscelis pennata is a species of planthopper in the family Dictyopharidae, described by Ball in 1937. It belongs to a small genus within the tribe Phylloscelini, characterized by leaf-like body modifications. The species is known from extremely limited records, with minimal observational data available.
Picumna
Picumna is a genus of planthoppers in the family Issidae, characterized by four spines on the hind tibia—a diagnostic feature distinguishing it from similar genera. The genus was erected by Stål in 1864 and is now placed in the tribe Picumnini. Species occur in the Southwestern United States and Central America.
Picumna maculata
Picumna maculata is a species of planthopper in the family Issidae, described by Melichar in 1906. It belongs to the tribe Thioniini within the subfamily Issinae. Like other issid planthoppers, it is characterized by a compact body form and wings held in a tent-like position over the body. The specific epithet 'maculata' suggests a spotted or maculate color pattern, though detailed descriptions of adult morphology remain limited in available sources.
Pintalia
Pintalia is a genus of planthoppers in the family Cixiidae, first described by Carl Stål in 1862. The genus contains at least 50 described species distributed across the Americas. Members are small to medium-sized insects with the characteristic morphology of cixiid planthoppers, including a distinct head structure and wing venation pattern.
Pintalia gurneyi
Pintalia gurneyi is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Kramer in 1983. It belongs to the tribe Pintaliini, a group of small to medium-sized fulgoromorphs characterized by particular wing venation patterns. The species is known from the southeastern United States, with records spanning multiple states in that region.
Pintalia vibex
Pintalia vibex is a species of cixiid planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Kramer in 1983. It belongs to the tribe Pintaliini within the subfamily Cixiinae. The species is recorded from multiple states in the southeastern and midwestern United States. Like other cixiids, it is a true bug in the order Hemiptera with piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Pissonotus canadensis
A planthopper species in the family Delphacidae, described by Bartlett in 2000. The genus Pissonotus is part of the diverse group of delphacid planthoppers, which are generally associated with grasses and sedges. This species is known from prairie and grassland habitats in central North America.
Pissonotus concolor
Pissonotus concolor is a species of planthopper in the family Delphacidae, described by Bartlett in 2000. It belongs to a genus of small, grass-feeding insects commonly known as delphacid planthoppers. The species is documented from several states in the eastern United States. As with most delphacids, its biology and ecological role remain poorly studied.
Pissonotus divergens
Pissonotus divergens is a species of planthopper in the family Delphacidae, described by Bartlett in 2000. It belongs to a genus of small delphacid planthoppers found in grassland and prairie habitats. The species is known from the southwestern and central United States, with records from Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, and Texas. Like other members of Delphacidae, it is associated with grasses and sedges.
Pissonotus dorsalis
Pissonotus dorsalis is a species of delphacid planthopper in the family Delphacidae. It was described by Van Duzee in 1897. The species is distributed across parts of North America, with records from Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, and other regions. As a member of the Delphacidae, it belongs to a family of planthoppers characterized by a distinctive movable spur on the hind tibia.
Pissonotus festucae
Pissonotus festucae is a species of planthopper in the family Delphacidae, described by Bartlett in 2000. It belongs to a genus of small, grass-associated delphacids found primarily in the Americas. The specific epithet 'festucae' suggests an association with Festuca (fescue) grasses. Distribution records indicate presence in the southwestern United States (Arizona) and Mexico (Distrito Federal, Jalisco).
Pissonotus flabellatus
Pissonotus flabellatus is a species of delphacid planthopper in the family Delphacidae, first described by Ball in 1903. It belongs to a genus of small, grass-feeding planthoppers. The species has been documented in the eastern and southeastern United States. Like other delphacids, it possesses a distinctive movable spur on the hind tibia.
Pissonotus frontalis
Pissonotus frontalis is a species of planthopper in the family Delphacidae, first described by Crawford in 1914. It belongs to a genus of small, delicate insects commonly known as delphacid planthoppers. The species has been recorded in western North America, including California, Oregon, and British Columbia. Like other delphacids, it is likely associated with grassland or wetland habitats where its host plants grow.
Pissonotus marginatus
Pissonotus marginatus is a delphacid planthopper described by Van Duzee in 1897. It belongs to a genus of small, typically grass-associated planthoppers within the family Delphacidae. The species is documented from multiple localities across North America including Alberta, Arkansas, California, and Connecticut. As a member of the Auchenorrhyncha, it possesses piercing-sucking mouthparts adapted for feeding on plant vascular fluids.
Pissonotus melanurus
Pissonotus melanurus is a species of delphacid planthopper first described by Van Duzee in 1917. It belongs to the family Delphacidae, a group characterized by a large, movable spur on the hind tibia. The species is known from limited records in western North America.
Pissonotus muiri
Pissonotus muiri is a species of planthopper in the family Delphacidae, described by Metcalf in 1943. It is one of several planthopper species with the specific epithet "muiri," named in honor of Frederick Muir, a prominent early 20th-century entomologist who conducted extensive fieldwork in the Pacific region. The species is recorded from Florida and parts of Middle America including Belize. Like other delphacid planthoppers, it belongs to a group of insects commonly associated with grasses and sedges, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Pissonotus niger
Pissonotus niger is a species of delphacid planthopper in the family Delphacidae, first described by Morgan and Beamer in 1949. It belongs to the genus Pissonotus, a group of small planthoppers characterized by their reduced wings and association with grasses. The species has been recorded in scattered localities across eastern and central North America.
Pissonotus nitens
Pissonotus nitens is a species of delphacid planthopper in the family Delphacidae. It was described by Van Duzee in 1909. The species is distributed across the Caribbean and North America, with records from Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi in the United States. As a member of the planthopper family Delphacidae, it belongs to a group of insects known for their association with grasses and other monocot plants.
Pissonotus paludosus
Pissonotus paludosus is a species of planthopper in the family Delphacidae, first described by Morgan and Beamer in 1949. It belongs to the genus Pissonotus, a group of small delphacid planthoppers found in North America. The species is documented from the southeastern United States, with records from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi. Like other delphacids, it is associated with wetland and marshy habitats, as suggested by its specific epithet "paludosus" (meaning marshy or swampy).
Pissonotus radiolus
Pissonotus radiolus is a species of planthopper in the family Delphacidae, described by Bartlett in 2000. The genus Pissonotus comprises small delphacid planthoppers associated with grasses and sedges. Members of this family are characterized by a movable spur on the hind tibia and are significant pests of cultivated grasses in some regions. This species is known from Ontario and broader North America.
Pissonotus rubrilatus
Pissonotus rubrilatus is a species of planthopper in the family Delphacidae, described by Morgan and Beamer in 1949. It belongs to a genus of small delphacid planthoppers found in North America. The specific epithet 'rubrilatus' refers to reddish lateral coloration. Very few observations or detailed studies of this species have been published.
Pissonotus spooneri
Pissonotus spooneri is a species of planthopper in the family Delphacidae, described by Morgan and Beamer in 1949. It belongs to a genus of small, grass-associated delphacids found primarily in North America. The species is known from scattered records across the eastern and central United States. Like other members of its family, it is likely associated with grassland habitats and feeds on plant phloem.
Pissonotus tessellatus
Pissonotus tessellatus is a species of planthopper in the family Delphacidae, first described by Ball in 1926. It belongs to the large and economically significant family of delphacid planthoppers, many of which are associated with grasses and sedges. The specific epithet 'tessellatus' refers to a checkered or tiled pattern, likely describing some aspect of the species' coloration or markings. Distribution records indicate occurrence in the southeastern and midwestern United States.
Poblicia
speckled lanternflies
Poblicia is a genus of large planthoppers in the family Fulgoridae, commonly called speckled lanternflies. The genus was established by Carl Stål in 1866 and currently comprises four species distributed across North and Central America. Members are notably large compared to other planthoppers, combining the hopping capabilities of planthoppers with body size approaching that of small cicadas. The genus is notable for its wary behavior and difficulty of capture.
Poblicia fuliginosa
sumac speckled lanternfly
Poblicia fuliginosa is a large planthopper in the family Fulgoridae, native to the eastern and central United States. Adults are predominantly dark with minute pale speckles on the forewings and a concealed bright red abdomen. The species is strongly associated with sumac (Rhus) species as its primary host plant. Described by Guillaume-Antoine Olivier in 1791, its generic placement was disputed until a 2025 revision confirmed its placement in Poblicia. The species is notable for its exceptional wariness and jumping ability, making it difficult to capture.
Poblicia texana
Poblicia texana is a large planthopper in the family Fulgoridae, described by Oman in 1936. The species was formerly placed in the genus Angulapteryx but is now accepted as Poblicia texana. Members of this genus are among the largest North American planthoppers, combining the hopping capabilities of smaller planthoppers with body size approaching that of small cicadas. The genus Poblicia includes only two species known to occur as far north as Missouri, with P. texana representing the western component of the genus' distribution.
Poiocerinae
Poiocerinae is a subfamily of planthoppers within the family Fulgoridae, comprising approximately 50 genera distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, Asia, and Australasia. The subfamily is divided into four tribes: Diloburini (Central and South America), Lystrini (Americas), Paralystrini (South America), and Poiocerini (Americas, Asia, and Australasia). The type genus is Poiocera. Many members of this subfamily exhibit enlarged or modified head structures characteristic of fulgorid planthoppers.
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.
Prokelisia
delphacid planthoppers
Prokelisia is a genus of delphacid planthoppers in the family Delphacidae, containing approximately five described species. The genus is best known for P. marginata, a salt marsh specialist that exhibits striking wing dimorphism with flightless brachypter and fully winged macropter forms. These planthoppers feed on Spartina cordgrasses and serve as hosts for diverse parasitoid communities including egg parasitoids (Anagrus spp.), nymphal parasitoids (Gonatopus, Neon), and adult parasitoids (Eurypteryx). The genus has become a model system for studying the evolution and maintenance of dispersal polymorphisms in heterogeneous environments.
Prokelisia carolae
Prokelisia carolae is a species of planthopper in the family Delphacidae, described by Wilson in 1982. It belongs to a genus of small, delicate planthoppers associated with salt marsh and coastal habitats. The species is part of the economically important group of planthoppers that includes vectors of plant pathogens.