Xylem-feeders
Guides
Cicadellini
sharpshooters
Cicadellini is a large tribe of leafhoppers (sharpshooters) within the family Cicadellidae, comprising approximately 1,886 described species across 266 genera—four times more diverse than the related tribe Proconiini. These insects are characterized by their distinctive suctorial-piercing mouthparts adapted for xylem-feeding. The tribe exhibits highest diversity in the Neotropical region, with significant economic importance as vectors of plant pathogens, particularly Xylella fastidiosa, which causes Citrus Variegated Chlorosis and other diseases affecting commercial crops.
Cicadomorpha
Spittlebugs, Cicadas, Leafhoppers and Treehoppers
Cicadomorpha is an infraorder of Hemiptera comprising approximately 35,000 described species worldwide, including cicadas, leafhoppers, treehoppers, and spittlebugs. The group has a fossil record extending to the Late Permian, with extinct families such as Palaeontinidae representing diverse Mesozoic lineages. All members are obligate plant-feeders utilizing specialized mouthparts for sap extraction. Many species produce acoustic signals or substrate vibrations for communication, with sound production mechanisms varying among superfamilies.