Insect Order Homoptera - cicadas, hoppers,
whiteflies, aphids
The Homoptera are a large group of sucking
insects. There are more than 32,000 species and there is great diversity
in body size. All are plant feeders and have mouth parts adapted
for sucking plant sap from trees and plants. They can cause injury
and destroy valuable food crops such as fruit trees and grain crops.
Some carry plant diseases, but a few provide secretion or other products
that are beneficial and have commercial value.
The mouth parts
are adapted for sucking, the beak arises from the back of head, wings,
when present, number four, the front wings have uniform structure, either
membranous or slightly thickened; wings at rest usually held roof-like
over body; male scale insects with only 1 pair of wings; ocelli present
or absent; compound eyes usually well developed. Most members of
the Homoptera fall into one of two large groups: