Broad-headed Sharpshooter

Natural Habitat

Commonly found in gardens, meadows, and woodlands on various host plants including woody and herbaceous species.

Diet & Feeding

They are herbivorous sap-feeders that use piercing-sucking mouthparts to drink fluids from the xylem of plants.

Behavior Patterns

They are known for their ability to jump quickly if disturbed and for 'sharpshooting' or flicking away droplets of excess fluid (honeydew) from their rear. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis.

Risks & Benefits

While they don't harm humans, they can be agricultural pests by vectoring plant diseases like Xylella fastidiosa, which causes Pierce's disease in grapes and other scorch diseases in trees.

Identified on: 5/18/2026