JUMPING INSECTS: A TINY WEDGE-SHAPED WHITE HOPPER

(A light green/white leafhopper, Length Approx. 6 mm)

January 22, 2022

A wedge-shaped leafhopper is a kind of small insect in the biodiversity. An adult leafhopper is about 6 mm long and whitish or light green. This insect's body takes the shape of a small wedge. The body of the leafhopper is widest at the head and the body width decreases gradually towards the wingtips.

The wedge-shaped leafhoppers can walk sideways quickly and jump off the leaf when they are disturbed.

These leafhoppers can be seen feeding alone or as a group on the top/underside of the leaves of several different plants—including tomato, macaranga, costus, wing beans, and long beans.

However, these insects have not caused noticeable damage to the plants. It seems as if it is a kind of insect that sucks out plant juices. The leafhoppers have not affected the growth of plants, in other words, plants can tolerate their feeding activities.

Macaranga plant roots go deeper into the soil and therefore, can tolerate dry weather conditions. I have not seen the insects' movements to vegetable plants from macaranga plants during dry weather conditions.

I have not seen a significant increase in their population. They might have attracted many predators—dragonflies, damselflies, spiders, mantises, and babbler birds.

The images were captured as it was found happening in nature, and not enhanced using software. Images may be subject to copyright.