typical leafhoppers

Cicadellidae is a very large family of true bugs called typical leafhoppers. It is one of the largest families of insects in North America and in the world. There are about 22,000 described species worldwide, but the total number of species is estimated to be more than 100,000. The species are grouped into 60 tribes in 25 subfamilies. Of these, 23 subfamilies are still living (extant) and 2 are extinct. There are 13 subfamilies in North America north of Mexico. There are at least 111 species in 74 genera in 11 subfamilies in Minnesota.

Typical leafhoppers occur on every continent except Antarctica. They are found in almost all habitats in which there are vascular plants.

Some typical leafhopper species feed on a broad diversity of plants, but most species are restricted to a single species or genus of plants. All species have piercing-sucking mouthparts which they use to puncture tender plant tissue, inject saliva, and suck up plant juices. The larger species are twig feeders and suck up sap. They cause no noticeable damage to the host plant. The smaller species are leaf feeders and suck up cell contents. They leave pale spots called hopperburn on the upper side of a leaf, but no damage is visible on the underside.

Some typical leafhoppers are known to transmit plant pathogens, including viruses, phytoplasms, and bacteria. Some of these species are serious agricultural pests.

Unlike other insects, typical leafhoppers usually run sideways. When disturbed on a leaf or a twig, they usually dart to the other side. When disturbed on a flat surface, they run at an oblique angle.

Typical leafhoppers are small, hard bodied, jumping insects. They range from 1⁄16″ to 13⁄16″ (2 to 30 mm) in length, but most are less than ⅜″ (10 mm) in length.

The antennae are very short and have a stiff bristle (arista) at the end. There are two large compound eyes on the sides of the head and two small simple eyes (ocelli) on top of the head. The ocelli are well separated from the compound eyes.

On the hind legs, the fourth segment (tibia) has one or two rows of small spines. The last part of all legs (tarsus), corresponding to the foot, has three segments.

Sources

24, 27, 29, 30, 82.

Medler, John T. (1942). The leafhoppers of Minnesota. University of Minnesota. Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station. Retrieved from the University of Minnesota Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/204089.

Location: Woodbury, MN