Leafhopper

A plant-feeding insect in the family Cicadellidae, recognized by its jumping ability and, in some species, transmission of plant pathogens.

Cicadellidae: A large family of insects commonly called leafhoppers, with piercing-sucking mouthparts and hind legs adapted for jumping. This is the family that defines leafhoppers taxonomically.
Insect jumping: Locomotion in which an insect launches itself using rapid force from its legs or other structures. Leafhoppers use powerful hind legs to escape and move rapidly among plants.
Aster yellows: A disease of many plants caused by a phytoplasma that disrupts normal growth and flower development. Aster leafhoppers transmit this phytoplasma among susceptible crops and wild plants.
Glassy-winged sharpshooter: Homalodisca vitripennis, a large xylem-feeding leafhopper native to the southeastern United States. It spreads Xylella fastidiosa and has become a serious vineyard pest in California.
Hemiptera: An insect order whose members have piercing-sucking mouthparts and include true bugs, aphids, and leafhoppers. Leafhoppers belong to this broader order of sap-feeding insects.
Tibial spines: Spines arranged along the tibiae of insect legs, serving functions such as traction and sensory contact. Rows of hind-leg spines help leafhoppers grip surfaces during locomotion.
Citrus stubborn disease: A citrus disease caused by Spiroplasma citri, often producing misshapen fruit and stunted growth. The beet leafhopper is a principal vector of its causal spiroplasma.
Beet leafhopper: Circulifer tenellus, a small leafhopper that feeds on many plants and vectors several pathogens. It transmits agents of curly top and citrus stubborn disease.
Phloem: The vascular plant tissue that transports sugars and other organic nutrients from source tissues to sinks. Many leafhoppers tap phloem sap, though others feed on different plant tissues.
Piercing-sucking mouthparts: Feeding structures that penetrate a surface and draw out liquid through slender internal stylets. Leafhoppers use these mouthparts to reach and ingest plant fluids.

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