# Northern Flatid Planthopper (*Flatormenis proxima*) The Northern Flatid Planthopper is a small, colorful insect that loves to hop around in gardens and fields. Its flat body helps it blend in with leaves, making it a little sneaky! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 5 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Northern Flatid Planthopper](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Flatormenis_proxima_P1010877a.jpg&width=800) Photo: xpda, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flatormenis_proxima_P1010877a.jpg) ## Appearance The Northern Flatid Planthopper has a distinctive wedge-shaped, flattened body, typically lime green to greenish-white. Its broad, leaf-like wings are held flat against its body, making it blend perfectly with plant foliage. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hemiptera - **Family:** Flatidae - **Genus:** Flatormenis ## Interesting facts - Planthopper babies look like fuzzy white alien creatures! - Some planthoppers produce sweet honeydew, a sugary treat for ants! - These insects sip plant sap using a mouth like a tiny straw! - They wear their wings like a tiny, perfectly tailored cape! ## Special abilities - **Mighty Leaper:** Northern Flatid Planthopper can jump powerfully with its strong hind legs, allowing them to escape danger quickly. - **Waxy Shield Creators:** Northern Flatid Planthopper nymphs produce fluffy white wax filaments that protect them like a cozy, camouflaged blanket. - **Vibration Communicators:** Northern Flatid Planthopper can send tiny vibrations through plant stems, allowing them to 'talk' to other planthoppers. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 12-18 mm - **Size:** 6-9 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-90 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These tiny insects use their straw-like mouths to drink sugary sap from various plants. - **Primary Foods:** maple sap, oak sap, cherry sap, birch sap, dogwood sap - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Bluebird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-bluebird) (*Sialia sialis*) — Birds often prey on these plant-dwelling insects. - **Eaten by:** European Garden Spider (*Aranaeus diadematus*) — Spiders catch planthoppers in their intricate webs. - **Eats:** [Red Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-maple) (*Acer rubrum*) — Planthoppers feed on the sugary sap from maple trees. - **Eats:** [Black Cherry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-cherry) (*Prunus serotina*) — They extract nutrients by feeding on cherry tree sap. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low These insects are harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Northern Flatid Planthopper? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Northern Flatid Planthopper's wingspan? 12-18 mm ### How big is Northern Flatid Planthopper? 6-9 mm ### How long does Northern Flatid Planthopper live? 30-90 days ### What does Northern Flatid Planthopper eat? These tiny insects use their straw-like mouths to drink sugary sap from various plants. ### Where is Northern Flatid Planthopper usually found? Grasslands ### How does Northern Flatid Planthopper hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Northern Flatid Planthopper have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Audubon Place Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/audubon-place-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Downtown Tuscaloosa Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/downtown-tuscaloosa-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Gorgas-Manly Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gorgas-manly-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Campus - [The State Botanical Garden of Georgia](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/the-state-botanical-garden-of-georgia) — Georgia, US · Botanical Garden - [Anderson Place Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/anderson-place-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Automotive Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/automotive-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District [View all places to see Northern Flatid Planthopper](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/northern-flatid-planthopper) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Northern Flatid Planthopper: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-flatid-planthopper)