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Hoppers of Zihuatanejo

SUBORDER AUCHENORRYNCHA

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

-Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)

-Insects (Class Insecta)

-Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)

-True Bugs, Hoppers, Aphids, and Allies (Order Hemiptera)

-True Hoppers (Suborder Auchenorrhyncha)

-Spittlebugs, Cicadas, Leafhoppers and Treehoppers (Infraorder Cicadomorpha)

-Planthoppers Infraorder (Fulgoromorpha)

-Superfamily Fulgoroidea

-Piglet Bugs (Family Caliscelidae)

-Subfamily Caliscelinae

-Tribe Peltonotellini

-Genus Bruchomorpha


Bruchomorpha is a genus of small planthoppers in the family Caliscelidae, often referred to as "piglet bugs" due to their unique, snout-like head projections. These insects are characterized by a compact, oval body and are typically brachypterous, meaning they possess very short wings that do not cover the entire abdomen, giving them a nymph-like appearance even as adults. They are widely distributed across North America and are most commonly found in grassy or brushy habitats, where they feed on the sap of various grasses and herbaceous plants.

Piglet Bugs

Bruchomorpha (Genus)

Description

  • Bruchomorpha is a genus of small planthoppers in the family Issidae. Adults are compact and somewhat flattened, with broad, roof-like wings, a relatively broad head, and short antennae. Colouration is generally brown, grey, or mottled, providing camouflage against bark, stems, and dried vegetation.

Range

  • Bruchomorpha is a New World genus distributed mainly in North and Central America, with several species occurring in Mexico. It is represented in western and southern Mexico, including Guerrero and the Zihuatanejo region where suitable habitats occur.

Habitat

  • Species inhabit a range of terrestrial environments, including tropical and seasonally dry forest, woodland, scrub, grassland, forest edges, and disturbed vegetation. Adults are often found on stems, branches, and foliage where their subdued colouring makes them difficult to detect.

Diet

  • Bruchomorpha species feed by piercing plant tissues and sucking sap. They use a variety of herbaceous and woody plants, with feeding occurring on stems, leaves, and other vascular tissues.

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