Wily Planthopper
Vafer contractus
This record describes Vafer contractus (species). Recorded family: Flatidae. 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
- Fulgoroidea
- Family
- Flatidae (Flatid Planthoppers)
- Subfamily
- Flatinae
- Tribe
- Selizini
- Genus
- Vafer
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Florida (likely introduced; +Central America)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Likely polyphagous. Associated with Ficus benjamina L. (Moraceae), Solanum melongena L. (Solanaceae), Tecomaria capensis (Thunb.) Spach (Bignoniaceae)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Vafer contractus Hendrix, Wilson, Halbert & Bartlett, 2026
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Vafer contractus. 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.