top of page

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)

-Planthoppers Infraorder (Fulgoromorpha)

-Superfamily Fulgoroidea

-Nogodinid Planthoppers (Family Nogodinidae)

-Subfamily Bladininae

-Tribe Bladinini

-Genus Bladina


Planthoppers of the genus Bladina are small, structurally unique insects belonging to the family Nogodinidae. Unlike many other planthoppers that mimic leaves or bark, Bladina species are frequently found on the undersides of leaves or along stems in tropical forests and grassy transitions, where they remain inconspicuous until disturbed. When threatened, they utilize powerful hind legs to execute rapid, explosive leaps, a common defensive trait among the Fulgoroidea superfamily. These insects feed exclusively on plant sap using specialized piercing-sucking mouthparts.

Bladina Planthoppers

Bladina (Genus)

Description

  • Bladina is a genus of small to medium-sized short-horned grasshoppers in the family Acrididae. Species are generally compact and cryptically coloured, with relatively short antennae, powerful hind legs, and well-developed wings. Brown, grey, greenish, and mottled patterns provide camouflage among vegetation and leaf litter.

Range

  • Bladina is a Neotropical genus occurring primarily in Mexico and Central America, with species associated particularly with tropical and subtropical regions. Suitable species may occur along the Pacific slope of Mexico, including Guerrero and the Zihuatanejo region.

Habitat

  • Species of Bladina inhabit warm forest and woodland, seasonally dry forest, scrub, grassland, forest margins, clearings, and other areas with low vegetation. They are often associated with ground-level vegetation and open patches within or adjacent to forest.

Diet

  • Bladina species are herbivorous, feeding primarily on grasses, herbs, leaves, and other green vegetation.

bottom of page