Planthoppers
What puts these creatures into one recognizable group is their shared sap-feeding strategy, multi-host dietary range, and powerful legs built for sudden leaping rather than steady walking, driven by piercing mouthparts designed to extract plant phloem. When you walk past an infested tree trunk, these insects spring away in all directions like tiny mechanical toys rather than flying in a sustained, fluttering line. Someone standing in their garden might easily confuse them with small moths because of their roof-like wings, but you can tell planthoppers apart by the way they sit squarely upright on woody stems, lacking the powdery scales of moths or the tiny 3 mm wedge shape of leafhoppers. Unlike spittlebugs that hide inside frothy foam masses or minute psyllids found on garden crops, adult planthoppers in this group measure twenty to twenty-six millimeters long with tan forewings marked by black spots and striking crimson-red hindwings that flash when they jump. You can also distinguish them from treehoppers and plant bugs by their distinct posture, lack of vertical pronotal horns, and the sticky honeydew they leave behind on foliage.
Explore planthoppers
Questions about planthoppers
PlanthoppersWhat do spotted lanternfly eggs look like?Learn what spotted lanternfly egg masses look like, how to distinguish them from other pests, and how to safely remove them.PlanthoppersWhat do spotted lanternfly nymphs look like?Learn what spotted lanternfly nymphs look like at different stages, how to identify them safely, and when to report them.PlanthoppersWhat damage can spotted lanternflies cause?An informative guide detailing the direct and indirect plant damage caused by spotted lanternflies, identification cues, egg mass removal methods, and regulatory reporting obligatiPlanthoppersHow do you report a spotted lanternfly sighting?A practical guide on how to identify, document, and report spotted lanternfly sightings to the proper agricultural authorities.PlanthoppersWhy is tree-of-heaven linked to spotted lanternflies?Explains the biological link between tree-of-heaven and spotted lanternflies, offering identification cues and safe removal steps.PlanthoppersWhat should you do when you find a spotted lanternfly?Learn how to identify and deal with spotted lanternflies safely, from egg masses to adults.PlanthoppersHow did the spotted lanternfly get to the United States?An informative guide detailing how the spotted lanternfly arrived in the United States, how to identify it, and practical steps for management and reporting.PlanthoppersShould you kill a spotted lanternfly?An informative guide explaining whether you should kill spotted lanternflies, how to identify them, and when to report sightings or call professionals.PlanthoppersWhat garden damage can spotted lanternflies cause?Learn what garden damage spotted lanternflies cause, how to identify them across life stages, and practical steps to manage them safely.PlanthoppersWhat is the connection between spotted lanternflies and tree of heaven?Explores the connection between spotted lanternflies and tree of heaven, detailing identification cues, management strategies, and when to seek professional or regulatory assistancPlanthoppersHave spotted lanternflies been found in Tennessee in 2026?An informational guide on spotted lanternfly findings in Tennessee, covering identification, practical management, and when to call professionals.PlanthoppersAre spotted lanternflies found in Illinois?Find out if spotted lanternflies are in Illinois, how to identify them, and what practical steps homeowners can take.PlanthoppersAre spotted lanternflies found in Connecticut?Learn if spotted lanternflies are found in Connecticut, how to identify them through every season, and what practical steps to take next.PlanthoppersAre spotted lanternflies found in Rhode Island?An informational guide on spotted lanternflies in Rhode Island, covering identification, behavior, and management steps.PlanthoppersWhy are spotted lanternflies common in New York City?An in-depth look at why spotted lanternflies thrive in New York City, how to identify them, what steps to take, and when to call professionals.PlanthoppersHow do you report a spotted lanternfly in Maryland?Learn how to report a spotted lanternfly sighting in Maryland, identify the pest at various life stages, manage backyard populations, and know when to call a professional.PlanthoppersHow do you report a spotted lanternfly in New York?Learn how to accurately identify and report spotted lanternfly sightings in New York, what steps to take next, and when to call a professional.PlanthoppersWhat do spotted lanternfly nymphs look like before the red stage?Learn what spotted lanternfly nymphs look like before their red stage, how to identify them, and what steps to take next.PlanthoppersWhat does a spotted lanternfly egg mass look like on outdoor objects?Learn what spotted lanternfly egg masses look like on outdoor objects, how to identify them through the seasons, and how to safely scrape and destroy them.PlanthoppersWhy should a spotted lanternfly sighting be checked against a state map?Learn why checking a spotted lanternfly sighting against a state map is crucial for tracking infestations and preventing further spread.PlanthoppersWhich official map shows current spotted lanternfly status in Pennsylvania?Discover which official map tracks the spotted lanternfly in Pennsylvania, learn how to identify them, and find out what steps to take next.PlanthoppersWhat do spotted lanternfly eggs look like on Pennsylvania outdoor equipment?Learn what spotted lanternfly egg masses look like on outdoor equipment in Pennsylvania, how to identify them in different seasons, and what practical steps to take.PlanthoppersHow should a Pennsylvania resident report a suspected spotted lanternfly?Learn how Pennsylvania residents can properly identify, report, and manage suspected spotted lanternfly sightings.