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Leafhoppers
A leafhopper is the common name for any species from the family Cicadellidae. These minute insects, colloquially known as hoppers, are plant feeders that suck plant sap from grass, shrubs, or trees. Their hind legs are modified for jumping, and are covered with hairs that facilitate the spreading of a secretion over their bodies that acts as a water repellent and carrier of pheromones. They undergo a partial metamorphosis, and have various host associations, varying from very generalized to very specific. Some species have a cosmopolitan distribution, or occur throughout the temperate and tropical regions. Some are pests or vectors of plant viruses and phytoplasmas. The family is distributed all over the world, and constitutes the second-largest hemipteran family, with at least 20,000 described species. They belong to a lineage traditionally treated as infraorder Cicadomorpha in the suborder Auchenorrhyncha, but as the latter taxon is probably not monophyletic, many m ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Brochosome
Brochosomes are intricately structured microscopic granules secreted by leafhoppers (the family Cicadellidae of the insect order Hemiptera) and typically found on their body surface and, more rarely, eggs. Brochosomes were first described in 1952 with the aid of an electron microscope. Brochosomes are hydrophobic and help keep the insect cuticle clean. These particles have also been found in samples of air and can easily contaminate foreign objects, which explains erroneous reports of brochosomes on other insects.Rakitov R.A. (2011Contamination as the cause of erroneous records of brochosomes.''Psyche: A Journal of Entomology '' 2011, Article ID 767963, . Structure and composition The name, derived from the Greek words ''βρóχoς'' ("brochos": mesh of a net) and ''σωμα'' ("soma": body), refers to the characteristic reticulated surface of the granules. Most species of leafhoppers produce hollow spherical brochosomes, 0.2–0.7 micrometres in diameter, with a honeycombed ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Phytoplasma
Phytoplasmas are obligate intracellular parasites of plant phloem tissue and of the insect vectors that are involved in their plant-to-plant transmission. Phytoplasmas were discovered in 1967 by Japanese scientists who termed them mycoplasma-like organisms. Since their discovery, phytoplasmas have resisted all attempts at ''in vitro'' culture in any cell-free medium; routine cultivation in an artificial medium thus remains a major challenge. Phytoplasmas are characterized by the lack of a cell wall, a pleiomorphic or filamentous shape, a diameter normally less than 1 μm, and a very small genome. Phytoplasmas are pathogens of agriculturally important plants, including coconut, sugarcane, and sandalwood, in which they cause a wide variety of symptoms ranging from mild yellowing to death. Phytoplasmas are most prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions. They are transmitted from plant to plant by vectors (normally sap-sucking insects such as leafhoppers) in which they both sur ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Eurymeloides Bicincta
''Eurymeloides bicincta'', commonly known as the two-lined gum-treehopper, is a leafhopper in the Family (biology), family Cicadellidae. It is the type species of the genus ''Eurymeloides''. It is a sap-sucking insect and is found on gum-trees in its native southeastern Australia. Description ''Eurymeloides bicincta'' grows to a length of about . The adult is wedge-shaped and is black with large orange eyes and white lines on its wings. The Nymph (biology), nymphs are orange. Ecology ''Eurymeloides bicincta'' is found on ''Eucalyptus'' trees where both nymphs and adults have piercing mouthparts and suck the sap. The excess fluid is Honeydew (secretion), secreted and is fed upon by ants which are often found associated with the leafhoppers. The ants do not harm the leafhoppers but may drive off potential predators. Some Bembicini, sand wasps in the tribe Nyssonini prey on this leafhopper, carrying off adults to provision the cells in which they lay their eggs. References ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Meat Ant
The meat ant (''Iridomyrmex purpureus''), also known as the gravel ant or southern meat ant, is a species of ant endemic to Australia. A member of the genus ''Iridomyrmex'' in the subfamily Dolichoderinae, it was described by British entomologist Frederick Smith in 1858. The meat ant is associated with many common names due to its appearance, nest-building behaviour and abundance, of which its specific name, ''purpureus'', refers to its coloured appearance. It is among the best-known species of ant found throughout Australia; it occurs in almost all states and territories except for Tasmania. Its enormous distribution, aggression and ecological importance have made this ant a dominant species. The meat ant is monomorphic (occurs in a particular form), although there is evidence that certain populations can be polymorphic. It is characterised by its dark-bluish body and red head. It is a medium to large species, measuring . The workers and males are approximately the same ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Auchenorrhyncha
The Auchenorrhyncha suborder of the Hemiptera contains most of the familiar members of what was called the "Homoptera" – groups such as cicadas, leafhoppers, treehoppers, planthoppers, and spittlebugs. The aphids and scale insects are the other well-known "Homoptera", and they are in the suborder Sternorrhyncha. Distributed worldwide, all members of this group are plant-feeders, and many are vectors of viral and fungal diseases of plants. It is also common for Auchenorrhyncha species to produce either audible sounds or substrate vibrations as a form of communication. Such calls range from vibrations inaudible to humans, to the calls of many species of cicadas that can be heard for hundreds of metres, at least. In season, they produce the most characteristic and ubiquitous noise of the bush. Etymology The word auchenorrhyncha is from the Greek αὐχήν, 'neck, throat' and ῥύγχος, 'snout'. Classification Debate and uncertainty as to whether the Auchenorrhync ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
