Planthopper
Guides
Megamelus toddi
Megamelus toddi is a species of delphacid planthopper in the family Delphacidae, described by Beamer in 1955. The genus Megamelus comprises small planthoppers primarily associated with wetland and aquatic habitats, with many species feeding on monocotyledonous plants. Megamelus toddi is known from the southeastern United States, specifically recorded from Florida and Louisiana. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with emergent aquatic vegetation, though specific host plant records for this species are not well documented in the available literature.
Megamelus trifidus
Megamelus trifidus is a species of planthopper in the family Delphacidae, first described by Beamer in 1955. This species belongs to a genus that includes several economically important planthoppers associated with aquatic and semi-aquatic vegetation. Members of Megamelus are known to feed on monocotyledonous plants, particularly in wetland habitats. The specific biology and host associations of M. trifidus remain poorly documented compared to congeners such as M. scutellaris and M. paludicola, which have been studied as potential biological control agents for invasive aquatic weeds.
Megamelus ungulatus
Megamelus ungulatus is a species of planthopper in the family Delphacidae, described by Beamer in 1955. It belongs to the genus Megamelus, which comprises small delphacid planthoppers associated with wetland and aquatic habitats. The species is recorded from the eastern United States, with distribution records from Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, and New Jersey. As a member of Delphacidae, it is presumed to feed on monocotyledonous plants, though specific host associations for this species remain undocumented.
Melanoliarus altanatus
Melanoliarus altanatus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Caldwell in 1951 as Sonorium altanatum and later transferred to the genus Melanoliarus. The species belongs to the tribe Pentastirini within the subfamily Cixiinae. Cixiid planthoppers are small to medium-sized insects characterized by their membranous wings and association with plant hosts, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Melanoliarus altanus
Melanoliarus altanus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, originally described by Ball in 1934. The genus Melanoliarus comprises small to medium-sized fulgoroid insects characterized by dark coloration. Taxonomic status varies between sources: Catalogue of Life lists it as a synonym of Oliarus altanus, while GBIF and iNaturalist recognize it as an accepted species. No observations have been recorded in iNaturalist, indicating limited documentation of its biology and distribution.
Melanoliarus arizonensis
Melanoliarus arizonensis is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Mead and Kramer in 1982. As a member of the order Hemiptera, it possesses piercing-sucking mouthparts typical of true bugs. The genus Melanoliarus belongs to the planthopper infraorder Fulgoromorpha, a group of sap-feeding insects often associated with woody plants. The specific epithet "arizonensis" indicates the species was described from or is associated with Arizona. Like other cixiids, it likely has brachypterous (short-winged) or macropterous (long-winged) forms, though specific morphological details for this species remain poorly documented in available sources.
Melanoliarus bispinus
Melanoliarus bispinus is a planthopper species in the family Cixiidae, described by Caldwell in 1947. As a member of this family, it belongs to a group of sap-feeding insects commonly associated with plant roots and soil habitats. The specific epithet "bispinus" suggests a morphological feature involving two spines, though this requires verification from the original description.
Melanoliarus caldwelli
Melanoliarus caldwelli is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Mead and Kramer in 1982. Members of this genus are small, cryptically colored insects associated with plant roots. The species is native to the southeastern United States. Like other cixiids, adults are capable of jumping and weak flight.
Melanoliarus californicus
Melanoliarus californicus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1914. The species epithet indicates its association with California. Cixiidae are small to medium-sized planthoppers characterized by their brachypterous (short-winged) or macropterous (long-winged) forms and are commonly found in diverse terrestrial habitats.
Melanoliarus catus
Melanoliarus catus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Caldwell in 1947. It belongs to the tribe Pentastirini within the subfamily Cixiinae. The species was originally described as Oliarus catus before being transferred to the genus Melanoliarus. Like other cixiid planthoppers, it is likely associated with plant hosts, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Melanoliarus chuliotus
Melanoliarus chuliotus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Ball in 1934 under the genus Oliarus. The species was later transferred to Melanoliarus, a genus of small to medium-sized cixiid planthoppers distributed primarily in the Neotropical and Nearctic regions. Like other members of Cixiidae, it is presumed to have piercing-sucking mouthparts and a life cycle involving root-feeding nymphal stages. Published biological data for this specific species are extremely limited.
Melanoliarus coconinus
Melanoliarus coconinus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Ball in 1934. The genus Melanoliarus contains numerous species distributed across North America, many associated with arid and semi-arid regions. Like other cixiids, this species likely has a life cycle involving root-feeding nymphs and winged adults. Specific details about its biology remain poorly documented.
Melanoliarus complectus
Melanoliarus complectus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae. It belongs to a genus of small, often dark-colored cixiids found primarily in North America. The species was originally described as Oliarus complectus by Ball in 1902 and later transferred to Melanoliarus. Cixiidae planthoppers are generally associated with plant roots, where nymphs feed underground.
Melanoliarus difficilis
Melanoliarus difficilis is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1912. The genus Melanoliarus belongs to a group of planthoppers commonly associated with woody plants, though specific details about this species' biology remain poorly documented in the available literature. The species epithet 'difficilis' (Latin for 'difficult') may allude to identification challenges or rarity in collections.
Melanoliarus eximus
Melanoliarus eximus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, a group of small, often inconspicuous insects associated with plant roots. The species was described by Caldwell in 1947. Like other cixiids, it likely possesses membranous wings held roof-like over the body and a piercing-sucking mouthpart adapted for feeding on plant vascular fluids. Members of this genus are generally found in North America.
Melanoliarus forcipatus
Melanoliarus forcipatus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Caldwell in 1947. Species in this genus are small to medium-sized fulgoroid insects characterized by their brachypterous (short-winged) condition in females and macropterous (long-winged) condition in males. Cixiidae planthoppers are generally associated with woody or herbaceous host plants, with nymphs often feeding on roots. The specific epithet "forcipatus" refers to a forceps-like structure, likely describing a morphological feature of the male genitalia or other appendage.
Melanoliarus humilis
Melanoliarus humilis is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1830 under the basionym Flata humilis. As a member of the Hemiptera, it belongs to a diverse group of true bugs characterized by piercing-sucking mouthparts. The genus Melanoliarus contains multiple species of planthoppers distributed across North America. Specific ecological details for M. humilis remain limited in available literature.
Melanoliarus lobatus
Melanoliarus lobatus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Caldwell in 1938. The genus Melanoliarus belongs to the order Hemiptera, suborder Auchenorrhyncha, and is part of the diverse assemblage of cixiid planthoppers found in the New World. Species in this genus are generally small to medium-sized planthoppers with characteristic wing venation and body shape typical of the family.
Melanoliarus montanus
Melanoliarus montanus is a planthopper species in the family Cixiidae, described by Metcalf in 1923. Members of this genus are small, delicate insects commonly found in North America. Cixiid planthoppers are known for their association with host plants and their role as vectors of plant pathogens.
Melanoliarus pygmaeus
Melanoliarus pygmaeus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Ball in 1937. The genus Melanoliarus belongs to the order Hemiptera, suborder Auchenorrhyncha, and infraorder Fulgoromorpha. Cixiidae planthoppers are typically small to medium-sized insects associated with woody vegetation. The specific epithet "pygmaeus" (meaning dwarf or pygmy) suggests this species is notably small even within its genus.
Melanoliarus sylvaticus
Melanoliarus sylvaticus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, originally described by Caldwell in 1947 as Sonorium sylvaticum. The species was later transferred to the genus Melanoliarus. It belongs to the tribe Pentastirini within the subfamily Cixiinae. As with other members of Cixiidae, it is a small, often inconspicuous planthopper with nymphs typically associated with plant roots.
Melanoliarus texanus
Melanoliarus texanus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, order Hemiptera. The species was described by Metcalf in 1923. As a member of Cixiidae, it belongs to a family of small to medium-sized planthoppers characterized by their brachypterous (short-winged) or macropterous (long-winged) forms and association with host plants. The genus Melanoliarus is part of the diverse planthopper fauna of North America.
Melanoliarus truncatus
Melanoliarus truncatus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Van Duzee in 1929. Cixiidae are small to medium-sized planthoppers commonly known as cixiid planthoppers, characterized by their elongated bodies and wings held roof-like over the body. Members of the genus Melanoliarus are found in North America, particularly in western regions. The specific epithet 'truncatus' refers to a truncated or shortened feature, likely describing a morphological characteristic of the species.
Melanoliarus vicarius
Melanoliarus vicarius is a planthopper species in the family Cixiidae, first described by Francis Walker in 1851 under the name Cixius vicaria. The species belongs to a genus of small, often dark-colored cixiids found primarily in the Neotropical region. Like other members of Cixiidae, it is presumed to have brachypterous or macropterous forms and nymphal stages associated with soil or root habitats.
Melanoliarus yavapanus
Melanoliarus yavapanus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Ball in 1934. The species epithet references Yavapai County, Arizona, indicating its association with the southwestern United States. Cixiidae are a diverse family of fulgoroid planthoppers, many of which are associated with specific host plants and exhibit complex life histories involving root-feeding nymphs. As with most members of its genus, detailed ecological information for this species remains limited.
Melanoliarus zyxus
Melanoliarus zyxus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Caldwell in 1947. The species was originally described under the genus Sonorium and later transferred to Melanoliarus. As a member of the Cixiidae, it belongs to a diverse family of fulgoroid planthoppers characterized by their distinctive wing venation and association with vascular plants. The taxonomic status of this species has been subject to revision, with some sources treating it as a synonym while others recognize it as accepted.
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.
Meristopsis melanosteptos
Meristopsis melanosteptos is a species of planthopper in the family Delphacidae, described from specimens collected in Florida and Oaxaca, Mexico. The species belongs to a genus of small delphacid planthoppers characterized by reduced wing venation and distinctive male genitalia. It was formally described in 2012 as part of a taxonomic revision of New World delphacine genera. Like other members of Delphacidae, it is presumed to feed on monocotyledonous plants, though specific host associations remain undocumented.
Metadelphax
Metadelphax is a genus of delphacid planthoppers in the family Delphacidae, established by Wagner in 1963. The genus contains at least five described species, including M. propinqua, which has been studied for its biology and wing polymorphism. Members are small sap-feeding insects with characteristic delphacid morphology.
Metadelphax propinqua
delphacid planthopper
Metadelphax propinqua is a species of delphacid planthopper in the family Delphacidae with a remarkably broad global distribution spanning six continents. It has been introduced to the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. Laboratory studies on a Turkish population maintained at 22°C documented an egg stage of 12 days, nymphal development of 19 days through five instars, and adult female longevity of 51 days, with fecundity averaging 1112 eggs per female. Adults exhibit wing dimorphism, occurring as macropters, brachypters, or intermediary forms.
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.
Metcalfa pruinosa
Citrus Flatid Planthopper
Metcalfa pruinosa is a polyphagous planthopper native to North America that has become a significant invasive pest across Europe, Asia, and other regions. Adults measure 5.5–8 mm in length and are covered in a distinctive bluish-white waxy coating. The species produces one generation per year, with eggs overwintering in bark crevices. It feeds gregariously on plant sap, excreting honeydew that promotes sooty mold growth and causes direct damage to crops and ornamentals. First described by Thomas Say in 1830, it has spread to over 20 countries and is known to attack more than 300 plant species.
Microledrida flava
Microledrida flava is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Metcalf in 1923. The specific epithet "flava" (Latin for yellow) likely refers to its coloration. Records indicate this species occurs in parts of southern North America, specifically Texas in the United States and Tamaulipas in Mexico. As a member of the Cixiidae, it belongs to a family of small to medium-sized planthoppers that feed on plant phloem sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Misodema reticulata
Misodema reticulata is a species of tropiduchid planthopper first described by Melichar in 1906. It belongs to the family Tropiduchidae, a group of fulgoroid planthoppers characterized by their relatively broad bodies and often reticulate wing venation. The species is documented from the southwestern United States, with records from Arizona and Texas. As a member of the subfamily Elicinae, it shares morphological traits with other genera in this group, though specific biological details remain limited in published literature.
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.
Momar
Momar is a genus of planthoppers in the family Achilidae, established by Fennah in 1950. Members of this genus belong to the tribe Plectoderini within the subfamily Myconinae. Achilidae planthoppers are characterized by their flattened, often cryptic appearance and association with fungal hosts. The genus is part of the diverse Fulgoroidea superfamily within the order Hemiptera.
Momar fumidus
Momar fumidus is a species of planthopper in the family Achilidae, first described by Ball in 1933. It belongs to the tribe Plectoderini within the subfamily Myconinae. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Like other achilid planthoppers, it is associated with fungal hosts.
Momar maculifrons
Momar maculifrons is a species of planthopper in the family Achilidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1912. This species belongs to the order Hemiptera and is found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Planthoppers in this family are typically associated with fungal hosts and are not well studied compared to their relatives in other fulgoroid families.
Monorachis
Monorachis is a genus of planthoppers in the family Cixiidae, tribe Pintaliini. It was established by Uhler in 1901. Members of this genus are part of the diverse cixiid fauna of North America. The genus contains multiple species, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Monorachis sordulentus
Monorachis sordulentus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Uhler in 1901. It is a small, cryptically colored insect found in the south-central and southeastern United States. Like other cixiids, it is associated with vascular plants and has a life cycle that includes a subterranean nymphal stage feeding on plant roots. The species is rarely documented in detail, with most records coming from incidental collections.
Muellerianella
Muellerianella is a genus of delphacid planthoppers comprising seven described species. The genus is notable for its complex reproductive biology, including both biparentally reproducing sexual species and asexual gynogenetic (pseudogamous) triploid forms. Species within the genus are morphologically similar but ecologically differentiated, occupying distinct habitat niches and exhibiting species-specific host plant associations. The Muellerianella complex has been extensively studied as a model system for understanding ecological speciation, hybridization, and the maintenance of species boundaries in the face of incomplete reproductive isolation.
Muirodelphax arvensis
Muirodelphax arvensis is a species of delphacid planthopper first described by Fitch in 1851. It belongs to the family Delphacidae, a group of small, sap-feeding insects commonly known as planthoppers. The species is recorded from North America, with distribution records from Alberta, Arizona, Arkansas, British Columbia, and California.
Muirodelphax parvulus
Muirodelphax parvulus is a species of delphacid planthopper in the family Delphacidae. It is found in North America, with distribution records from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, and the District of Columbia. As a member of the Delphacidae, it belongs to a family characterized by a movable spur on the hind tibia, a trait that distinguishes delphacid planthoppers from other planthopper families. The genus Muirodelphax contains multiple species of small planthoppers associated with grasses and sedges.
Muirodelphax peneluteus
Muirodelphax peneluteus is a small planthopper species in the family Delphacidae, described by Beamer in 1948. It belongs to a genus associated with wetland and grassland habitats. The species has been recorded from scattered localities across the southeastern and central United States.
Muirodelphax unda
Muirodelphax unda is a species of planthopper in the family Delphacidae, originally described by Metcalf in 1923. It belongs to the genus Muirodelphax, which comprises small delphacid planthoppers. The species has been treated as a synonym of Delphacodes unda in some taxonomic databases, reflecting ongoing taxonomic uncertainty in this group. Delphacid planthoppers are generally associated with grass and sedge habitats, though specific ecological data for M. unda remain limited.
Mula
Mula is a genus of planthoppers in the family Derbidae, described by Ball in 1928. Members of this genus belong to the tribe Sikaianini within the subfamily Otiocerinae. Derbidae planthoppers are known for their elongated wings and association with fungal-feeding habits in many species. The genus is part of the diverse Fulgoroidea superfamily, which contains numerous economically significant agricultural pests and ecologically important decomposers.
Mula resonans
Mula resonans is a species of planthopper in the family Derbidae, first described by Ball in 1928. The species belongs to the tribe Sikaianini within the subfamily Otiocerinae. Records indicate occurrence in the southeastern United States, specifically Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Very little is known about its biology or ecology.
Neaethus
Neaethus is a genus of planthoppers in the family Tropiduchidae, described by Stål in 1861. Members of this genus belong to the tribe Elicini within the subfamily Elicinae. As fulgoromorph hemipterans, they possess piercing-sucking mouthparts and are associated with plant feeding.