Leafhopper

A leafhopper is a type of insect that belongs to the family Cicadellidae.

Leafhoppers are small, slender, and often have colorful markings on their bodies.

They have piercing-sucking mouthparts that allow them to feed on plant sap from grasses, shrubs, or trees.

They also have powerful hind legs that enable them to jump quickly when disturbed.

Leafhoppers can be found on almost all kinds of plants, but some species are more specific to certain hosts.

Some leafhoppers are pests that can damage plants by removing sap, destroying chlorophyll, transmitting diseases, or curling leaves.

Others are beneficial insects that help control weeds or provide food for other animals.

Leafhoppers are small insects that belong to the family Cicadellidae, which is the second-largest family of hemipterans with about 20,000 species worldwide.
They are known for their ability to jump and fly, as well as their feeding habits and their role in plant diseases.

Leafhoppers have modified hind legs that are covered with hairs and help them to jump long distances.
They also have wings that allow them to fly and disperse.
Some leafhoppers can produce sounds by vibrating their abdomens or rubbing their hind legs against their wings.

Leafhoppers feed on plant sap by piercing the plant tissues with their mouthparts.
They can feed on a wide range of plants, from grasses and shrubs to trees and crops.

These insects can cause damage to plants by sucking their sap, which reduces the plant's vigor and growth.
They can also inject toxins or enzymes into the plant, causing discoloration, wilting, curling, or stunting of the leaves.
Some leafhoppers can transmit plant viruses or bacteria, such as phytoplasmas, that cause serious diseases in plants.
For example, the beet leafhopper (Circulifer tenellus) can transmit the curly top virus, which affects many crops.

Leafhoppers are also known for their diversity and beauty, as they come in many shapes, sizes, and colors.
Some leafhoppers have striking patterns or markings on their wings or bodies, such as the candy-striped leafhopper (Graphocephala coccinea).

Some leafhoppers produce brochosomes, which are microscopic particles that coat their bodies and eggs and provide protection and communication.

A leafhopper is a tiny bug
That likes to feed on plants
It jumps and flies with little wings
And sometimes does a dance

It comes in many colours
From green to brown to red
It makes a sticky honeydew
And causes hopperburn instead

It has a piercing mouthpart
That sucks the sap from leaves
It also injects some toxins
That make the plants diseased

A leafhopper is a small insect
But it can cause some trouble
So watch out for these hoppers
Before they burst your bubble