treehopper

[tree-hop-er]

noun

1. any of numerous homopterous jumping insects of the family Membracidae, that have an enlarged prothorax and feed on the juices of plants, often injuring the plants.

treehopper

/ ˈtriːˌhɒpə /

noun

1. any homopterous insect of the family Membracidae , which live among trees and other plants and typically have a large hoodlike thoracic process curving backwards over the body

Word History and Origins

Origin of treehopper¹

First recorded in 1830–40; tree + hopper

Example Sentences

According to researchers, treehoppers suck on plant juices, sing to each other by vibrating plant stems, and are a vital food source for other forest creatures.

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Those insects infected area palms, which infected native treehoppers.

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“We found the treehopper years ago,” she said.

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A treehopper will lay her eggs on the underside of a nightshade leaf and then cover them with a thin secretion.

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Sitting on a plant sucking juices all day makes you a pretty easy target, so planthoppers often mimic leaves, similar to the way their close relatives the treehoppers mimic thorns and other plant bits.

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