Cercopidae
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| Vernacular names | |
|---|---|
| • Deutsch: | Blutzikaden |
| • English: | froghoppers |
| • Español: | cercópidos |
| • Français: | cercopidés |
Cercopidae - (froghoppers)
This family of plant-sucking insects contains around 2,000 species. It is widely distributed, and is particularly common in the tropics and subtropics. Important pest species are, for example, Mahanarva fimbriolata or Deois flavopicta in South America.
The larvae of many species breed underground where the larvae feed on roots, e.g. the sugarcane froghoppers of the genus Mahanarva. The larvae excrete and are covered by a frothy substance (spittle mass). This is believed to protect them from desiccation.
The adults are medium-sized (5-20 mm), compact and together with their ability to jump has led to the name froghoppers. The colour is often a pattern of red and black. The eyes are circular in dorsal view and the head is narrower than the pronotum. The pronotum and scutellum form a strong plate which extends between the wing bases. The family Cercopidae is part of the superfamily Cercopoidea which also includes the less colourful spittlebugs (Aphrophoridae).
The following genera are currently entered in the system:
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