Planthopper nymph

Natural Habitat

Typically found on plants, trees, and shrubs where they feed on plant sap. They can also appear on various surfaces like concrete when they move between plants or after molting.

Diet & Feeding

Planthopper nymphs are phytophagous, meaning they feed on plant sap by piercing the plant tissue with their specialized mouthparts (stylets) and sucking out the fluids.

Behavior Patterns

Planthopper nymphs are generally slow-moving and often camouflaged to blend in with their host plants. Many species produce waxy filaments from glands on their abdomen, which can serve as protection from predators or help in dispersal. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis, meaning they lack a pupal stage, developing directly from nymph to adult.

Risks & Benefits

While generally not harmful to humans, some species of planthoppers can be significant agricultural pests, causing damage to crops by feeding on sap and transmitting plant diseases (e.g., viruses, phytoplasmas). They can also excrete honeydew, which promotes the growth of sooty mold on plants. However, they also serve as a food source for various predatory insects and birds in the ecosystem.

Identified on: 9/15/2025