May, 2018

Citrus Planthopper

Several kinds of insects create white, fluffy looking "stuff" on plants, including whiteflies, aphids, and mealybugs. The citrus planthopper (Metcalfa pruinosa) is related to those plant pests but does little actual damage as it is not often very numerous. Planthoppers feed by sucking fluid from stems and leaves through their tube-like mouthparts. In the spring, only nymphs are present, and they usually surround themselves with more white fluff as they rest on twigs. The whole glob looks sort of like mold and the outlines of the individual bugs are usually completely obscured.

Once the planthoppers reach maturity, they can easily jump or fly away from danger, but they still produce the waxy white coating, which is also water repellent. In fact, the species name, pruinosa, derives from pruinosity, which refers to the powdery or frosty looking white coating that forms over an insect's cuticle.

Citrus planthoppers are about 6-8 mm long and feed on a wide variety of woody plants, including elms, maples, and other trees and shrubs.