Urban-pest-nuisance
Guides
Oncometopia orbona
Broad-headed Sharpshooter
Oncometopia orbona, commonly known as the broad-headed sharpshooter, is a large leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae. It feeds on xylem sap from plants, processing large volumes of nutrient-poor fluid and excreting the excess as honeydew—a behavior that creates the phenomenon of 'raining trees.' The species possesses distinctive white chalky brochosomes on its sides, used to powder egg-laying sites. It is a strong flier with excellent eyesight and serves as a host for egg parasitoids in the family Mymaridae.