Planicephalus flavicosta
This record describes Planicephalus flavicosta (species). Recorded family: Cicadellidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)
- Suborder
- Auchenorrhyncha
- Superfamily
- Membracoidea
- Family
- Cicadellidae (Typical Leafhoppers)
- Subfamily
- Deltocephalinae
- Tribe
- Deltocephalini
- Genus
- Planicephalus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e NA, CA (CA, TX-FL-NC) - Map Kramer reported the species only from Florida, Louisiana, and Texas, suggesting that the species "is probably limited to the states bordering the Gulf of Mexico", but Dmitriev extends the range from Canada to Argentina; W. Indies
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Deltocephalus flavicosta (Stål 1862)
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Planicephalus flavicosta. 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 Planicephalus flavicosta (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jeff Hollenbeck; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , Mike Quinn , v belov , Chuck Sexton , antarctica