# Red-banded Leafhopper (*Graphocephala coccinea*) The Red-banded Leafhopper is a small, colorful insect that loves to hop around on leaves. With its bright red and green stripes, it can be a fun surprise to spot in gardens and fields! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 52 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Red-banded Leafhopper](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Graphocephala_coccinea_Kaldari_02.jpg&width=800) Photo: Kaldari, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Graphocephala_coccinea_Kaldari_02.jpg) ## Appearance The Red-banded Leafhopper is a small, striking insect with a vibrant blue-green body. It has distinctive bright red stripes running along its wings, making it easily recognizable. Its slender body and wedge-shaped head further set it apart. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hemiptera - **Family:** Cicadellidae - **Genus:** Graphocephala ## Interesting facts - Leafhoppers can shoot tiny droplets of sugary waste called honeydew! - Male leafhoppers 'sing' tiny songs to attract mates by vibrating their bodies! - Their eyes are compound, giving them a wide, all-around view of their world! - They have special 'radar' on their legs to detect vibrations in plants! ## Special abilities - **Super Jumper:** Red-banded Leafhopper can launch itself far because it has powerful legs that help them escape danger quickly. - **Plant Siphon:** Red-banded Leafhopper has a needle-like mouthpart that helps them sip nutritious sap from plants without harming them much. - **Warning Stripes:** Red-banded Leafhopper has bright red and blue-green colors that help them warn predators they might taste bad. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 6-9 mm - **Lifespan:** 20-60 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These tiny insects sip on plant juices for all their energy and hydration! - **Primary Foods:** maple sap, oak sap, cherry sap, grape sap, rhododendron sap - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Black-capped Chickadee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-capped-chickadee) (*Parus atricapillus*) — Chickadees feast on insects like leafhoppers. - **Eaten by:** [Goldenrod Crab Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/goldenrod-crab-spider) (*Misumena vatia*) — Spiders ambush insects on flowers. - **Depends on:** [Red Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-maple) (*Acer rubrum*) — Leafhoppers feed on sap from maple trees. - **Eats:** Big-eyed Bug (*Geocoris pallens*) — Predatory bugs hunt small insect nymphs. ## Traits - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [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. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [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 It's best to watch insects from a distance and not touch them, as some might be delicate. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Red-banded Leafhopper? 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. ### How big is Red-banded Leafhopper? 6-9 mm ### How long does Red-banded Leafhopper live? 20-60 days ### What does Red-banded Leafhopper eat? These tiny insects sip on plant juices for all their energy and hydration! ### Where is Red-banded Leafhopper usually found? Urban areas ### How does Red-banded Leafhopper hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Red-banded Leafhopper have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Ambler Heights Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ambler-heights-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District - [Black Hawk State Historic Site](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/black-hawk-state-historic-site) — Illinois, US · Park - [Cleveland Cultural Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cleveland-cultural-gardens) — Ohio, US · Park - [Delaware Division of the Pennsylvania Canal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/delaware-division-of-the-pennsylvania-canal) — Pennsylvania, US · Historic Site - [Delaware and Raritan Canal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/delaware-and-raritan-canal) — New Jersey, US · Historic Site - [Irvington Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/irvington-historic-district) — Indiana, US · Historic District [View all places to see Red-banded Leafhopper](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/red-banded-leafhopper) ## 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: [Red-banded Leafhopper: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-banded-leafhopper)