Taro Planthopper
Tarophagus colocasiae
This record describes Tarophagus colocasiae (species). Recorded family: Delphacidae. 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
- Delphacoidea
- Family
- Delphacidae (Delphacid Planthoppers)
- Subfamily
- Delphacinae
- Tribe
- Delphacini
- Genus
- Tarophagus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
SE Asia (Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia), S Pacific Islands; now also Cuba, Jamaica, and Florida
Diet and Behavior
Diet: primary host: taro ( Colocasia esculenta , Araceae); nymphs can survive on a number of other plants
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Tarophagus colocasiae (Matsumura 1920)
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Tarophagus colocasiae. 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 Taro Planthopper (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Kyle Kittelberger; Additional contributions by v belov