🚨 ARTHROPOD OF THE DAY 🚨

True to its name, the citrus flatid planthopper, Metcalfa pruinosa (Say), is found on citrus, but can be found on a wide variety of woody plants, many of which are used in the ornamental trade. This planthopper seldom causes economic damage to most plants except to those weakened by some other factor such as freeze damage.

Usually, adults of Metcalfa pruinosa are 5.5 to 8 mm in length and 2 to 3 mm in width at the widest point. This species, along with certain other flatids, might be mistaken for a moth at first glance. Flatids have broadly triangular front wings that are held close to the body in a vertical position and give the insects a wedge-shaped, laterally compressed appearance from above. The front wings (tegmina) have a well-developed, transversely veined costal cell and a granulate clavus; the hind tibiae normally have two lateral spines in addition to those at the apex.

Metcalfa pruinosa is common in eastern North America, ranging from Ontario and Quebec to Florida, west to the Great Plains states, south to Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Mexico.