
Community identification
Sharpshooter
Homalodisca vitripennis
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cicadellidae
- Size
- 10 to 14 mm in length
Natural Habitat
Orchards, vineyards, wooded areas, and residential gardens
Diet & Feeding
Herbivorous; they feed on plant xylem sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts
Behavior Patterns
Active flyers known for their ability to jump. They are often found on the stems of woody plants and are notable for 'raining' droplets of excess fluid (honeydew) while feeding.
Risks & Benefits
Significant agricultural pest; they are vectors for the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, which causes Pierce's disease in grapes and other plant diseases.