Broad-headed Sharpshooter

Scientific Name: Oncometopia orbona

Order & Family: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae

Size: 10 - 13 mm (0.4 - 0.5 inches)

Broad-headed Sharpshooter

Natural Habitat

Found in meadows, gardens, and forests throughout the eastern and southeastern United States.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous; they use piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on xylem sap from various woody and herbaceous plants.

Behavior Patterns

Active during the day; they are known for their ability to jump quickly when disturbed. Females often coat their eggs with a chalky white substance called brochosomes for protection.

Risks & Benefits

While not directly harmful to humans, they can be agricultural pests as they are vectors for Pierce's disease, which affects grapevines and other fruit plants.

Identified on: 3/16/2026