A
planthopper is any insect in the infraorder Fulgoromorpha, exceeding 12,500
described species worldwide. The name comes from their remarkable resemblance
to leaves and other plants of their environment and from the fact that they
often "hop" for quick transportation in a similar way to that of
grasshoppers. However, planthoppers generally walk very slowly so as not to
attract attention. Distributed worldwide, all members of this group are
plant-feeders, though surprisingly few are considered pests. The infraorder
contains only a single superfamily, Fulgoroidea. Fulgoroids are most reliably
distinguished from the other Auchenorrhyncha by two features; the bifurcate
("Y"-shaped) anal vein in the forewing, and the thickened,
three-segmented antennae, with a generally round or egg-shaped second segment
(pedicel) that bears a fine filamentous arista.
25th August 2016
Taranga Hills, Mehsana, Gujarat, India
Nikon D7100
AF-S Nikkor
300mm F/4D IF-ED + AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E
f/8, 1/200,iso-500
