Wildlife Spotting

Leaf hoppers are small, quick-flying insects. They are usually green, yellow or brown and their sap-sucking feeding causes mottling of leaves. They attack many plants and can also transmit virus diseases. Their sticky waste (called honeydew) sometimes grows black sooty mould fungus. Appearance of leaf hoppers can vary. Young leafhoppers (nymphs) tend to have tufty ‘tails’. Some species of adults fold their wings close into their bodies but others have outspread wings that make them look like small butterflies. All hop away quickly when disturbed.