Common Waterlily Planthopper
Megamelus davisi
This record describes Megamelus davisi (species). Recorded family: Delphacidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
Anal processes projecting posteriorly
Identification notes
Anal processes projecting posteriorly
Wikipedia reference for Megamelus davisi: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megamelus_davisi.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)
- Suborder
- Auchenorrhyncha
- Superfamily
- Delphacoidea
- Family
- Delphacidae (Delphacid Planthoppers)
- Subfamily
- Delphacinae
- Tribe
- Delphacini
- Genus
- Megamelus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e US, Ont., Calif. - Map (BG data)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: water lily ( Nymphaea spp.), American white water lily ( Nymphaea odorata Aiton as Castalia odorata ); pond lily (Nuphar advena; Nymphaeaceae); Pontederia cordata (Pontederiaceae); alligatorweed (Alternanthera philoxeroides: Amaranthaceae)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Megamelus davisi Van Duzee, 1897
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Megamelus davisi. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hemiptera (true bugs) includes over 80,000 described species across cicadas, aphids, leafhoppers, shield bugs, and bed bugs. Aphids alone cost global agriculture an estimated $2.5 billion annually in crop losses.
Ecological role of the group
Many Hemiptera are essential food sources for birds and predatory insects. Cicadas provide massive nutrient pulses during emergence events - a single Brood X emergence can involve trillions of individuals across 15 states.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) caused $37 million in apple crop losses in a single year in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region. Bed bug infestations in the U.S. increased by 500% between 2001-2010, costing the hotel industry hundreds of millions annually.
Recorded sources for this group: USDA, EPA, University research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Common Waterlily Planthopper (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn , antarctica
Frequently Asked Questions About Common Waterlily Planthopper
What is Common Waterlily Planthopper?
Common Waterlily Planthopper (Megamelus davisi) is a species in the family Delphacidae, within the order Hemiptera.
How do you identify Common Waterlily Planthopper?
Anal processes projecting posteriorly
Where is Common Waterlily Planthopper found?
Range: e US, Ont., Calif. - Map (BG data)
What does Common Waterlily Planthopper eat?
The diet of the Common Waterlily Planthopper includes water lily ( Nymphaea spp.), American white water lily ( Nymphaea odorata Aiton as Castalia odorata ); pond lily (Nuphar advena; Nymphaeaceae); Pontederia cordata (Pontederiaceae); alligatorweed (Alternanthera philoxeroides: Amaranthaceae).