Planthopper Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Planthopper Temporal range: Early Jurassic–Recent PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N

Phromnia rosea (Flatidae) adults and nymphs
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hemiptera
Suborder:	Auchenorrhyncha
Infraorder:	Fulgoromorpha Evans, 1946

Planthoppers are fascinating insects. They belong to a large group of insects called "true bugs" (Hemiptera). There are over 12,500 different kinds of planthoppers known around the world!

These insects are masters of disguise. Their bodies and colors often look just like leaves or other parts of the plants they live on. This helps them hide from hungry birds and other animals. Planthoppers usually move very slowly. But if they need to escape, they can hop quickly, much like a grasshopper.

What Planthoppers Eat
Amazing Legs and Jumps
Images for kids
See also

What Planthoppers Eat

Planthoppers get all their food from plants. They use a special mouthpart, like a tiny straw, to suck sap from plants. You can find them living on plants all over the world.

Most planthoppers are not harmful to plants. However, some kinds can cause problems. They can spread tiny germs called Phytoplasmas from one plant to another. These germs can make plants sick. The planthoppers pick up these germs when they feed on a sick plant. Then, they carry the germs to healthy plants when they feed again.

Amazing Legs and Jumps

Young planthoppers are called nymphs. When they are ready to jump, something amazing happens! They have a special biological gear system in their back legs. This gear helps their legs move at exactly the same time. This makes their jumps powerful and accurate. It's like having tiny, built-in gears to help them leap!