Infraorder FULGOROMORPHA

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Introduction

The Fulgoroidea, commonly known as planthoppers, are primarily sap suckers feeding on phloem fluid although some are known to be fungivorous. Planthoppers are largely tropicopolitan in distribution although the Australian fauna is largely endemic at the generic level or restricted to the Australasian Region. Many species are serious agricultural and horticultural pests, for example, the native Sugar Cane Planthopper, Perkinsiella saccharicada Kirkaldy (Family Delphacidae), a vector of the Fiji disease of sugar cane (CSIRO 1991). This species was accidentally introduced to Hawaii and was the focus of an early successful attempt at biological control using a mirid egg predator from Australia. The native Passionvine Hopper, Scolypopa australis (Walker) (Family Ricaniidae) is a pest of kiwifruit orchards in New Zealand.

This Fulgoroidea section of the Australian Faunal Directory is part of an ongoing project and updates are anticipated. It has been released now in response to requests to make the information freely available on the web, especially to users of the Australian Plant Pest Database.

Diagnosis

Head with carinae in adults and rows of sensory pits in nymphs. Antennal pedicel enlarged and bearing numerous wart-like sensilla. Winged forms with tegula present as separate plate at base of wing.

History of changes