# Two-striped Planthopper (*Acanalonia bivittata*) The Two-striped Planthopper is a small, colorful insect that loves to hop around plants. With its bright green body and two stripes, it looks like a tiny superhero of the garden! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Two-striped Planthopper](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Two-striped_Planthopper_%28Acanalonia_bivittata%29_%2814693746782%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Andrew C, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Two-striped_Planthopper_%28Acanalonia_bivittata%29_%2814693746782%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Two-striped Planthopper is typically bright green, often with two pale, yellowish stripes running lengthwise down its wedge-shaped wings. Its body is flattened and broad, making it blend seamlessly with plant leaves and stems. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hemiptera - **Family:** Acanaloniidae - **Genus:** Acanalonia ## Interesting facts - Baby planthoppers, called nymphs, grow fluffy white tails made of waxy fibers! - Some planthoppers communicate by sending vibrations through plants to find a mate! - Their bodies are often perfectly shaped and colored to look just like a plant leaf! - They can jump over 100 times their own body length to escape predators! ## Special abilities - **Leaping Legs:** Two-striped Planthopper has strong hind legs that helps them leap many times their body length to escape danger. - **Waxy Shield:** Two-striped Planthopper has glands that produce waxy filaments covering its body for protection and camouflage. - **Sap Sucker:** Two-striped Planthopper has a straw-like mouthpart (proboscis) that helps them pierce plant stems to drink sap. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 5-7 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-60 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These tiny insects sip nutrient-rich sap from a variety of plants for energy and growth. - **Primary Foods:** Maple sap, Oak sap, Goldenrod sap, Blackberry sap - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Crab Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/crab-spider) (*Misumena vatia*) — Spiders ambush planthoppers on flowers and leaves. - **Eaten by:** [American Goldfinch](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-goldfinch) (*Spinus tristis*) — Birds forage for small insects like planthoppers. - **Depends on:** [Allegheny Blackberry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/allegheny-blackberry) (*Rubus allegheniensis*) — This plant serves as a common host for feeding and shelter. ## Traits - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [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. - [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 Be gentle and watch where you step to protect tiny insects like the planthopper. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Two-striped 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. ### How big is Two-striped Planthopper? 5-7 mm ### How long does Two-striped Planthopper live? 30-60 days ### What does Two-striped Planthopper eat? These tiny insects sip nutrient-rich sap from a variety of plants for energy and growth. ### Where is Two-striped Planthopper usually found? Grasslands ### How does Two-striped Planthopper hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Two-striped Planthopper have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Rugby](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rugby) — Tennessee, US · Neighborhood - [Bruin Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bruin-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Stanton Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/stanton-park) — Virginia, US · Park [View all places to see Two-striped Planthopper](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/two-striped-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: [Two-striped Planthopper: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/two-striped-planthopper)