Pest profile

Citrus Flatid Planthopper

Metcalfa pruinosa · Hemiptera: Flatidae[3]

The citrus flatid planthopper is a small, wedge-shaped, bluish-white insect that feeds on many shrubs, trees and vines; its nymphs cover twigs and leaves with white, fluffy wax, but it rarely harms healthy plants.[1][2]

Citrus flatid planthopper, a wedge-shaped insect covered in white waxy bloom
Citrus flatid planthopper, a wedge-shaped insect covered in white waxy bloom. (c) Even Dankowicz, some rights reserved (CC BY) — via iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0

How to identify it

  • Adults are about 1/4 inch long, dark bluish-black to brown under a white waxy bloom, with orange or reddish eyes and a pair of dark spots near the base of each forewing.[1][2]
  • At rest the broad, triangular wings are held vertically, giving a wedge shape that can look like a small moth.[2]
  • Nymphs surround themselves with white, fluffy, curled wax filaments on twigs and leaf undersides.[1][2]

Look-alikes

Look-alikeHow to tell them apart
MealybugsTouch the rear end with a pencil point: planthopper nymphs jump like leafhoppers, while mealybugs don't.[2]
Cottony cushion scaleAlso sedentary, unlike the jumping planthopper nymphs.[2]

Where it lives

It is common in eastern North America from Ontario and Quebec to Florida, west to the Great Plains and south to Texas, Arizona, California and Mexico.[2]

US map: public records from 36 states since 1990 (GBIF).

Biology and life cycle

Females insert eggs into the bark of the current year's growth, where the eggs overwinter.[1][2]

Nymphs hatch in spring and summer and feed by sucking sap from bark or leaves; adults appear in summer.[1][2]

Damage and signs

  • It is usually not abundant enough to hurt plant health; the wax and honeydew make plants sticky and unsightly, and sooty mold may grow.[1][2]
  • Rarely, heavy feeding or egg laying kills twigs; damage is mostly on plants already weakened, such as by freezes.[1][2]

Health risk

None to people or pets.[1][2]

Control

Traps and physical control

Dislodge planthoppers and nymphs from shrubs with a stream of water from a garden hose.[1]

Pesticides

No insecticide is labeled specifically for planthoppers, but contact products such as pyrethroids applied for other labeled pests should suppress them.[1]

Common questions

What is the white fluffy stuff on my shrub twigs?
Often wax from citrus flatid planthopper nymphs; touch it and the nymph jumps.[1][2]
Are flatid planthoppers harmful?
Rarely; damage is mostly sticky, unsightly wax and honeydew.[1][2]
How do I get rid of planthoppers?
Hose them off shrubs with a stream of water.[1]

Sources

  1. NC State Extension, “Citrus Flatid Planthopper.” content.ces.ncsu.edu/citrus-flatid-planthopper (accessed 2026-10-15)
  2. University of Florida IFAS Extension (Featured Creatures), “Citrus Flatid Planthopper, Metcalfa pruinosa (EENY-329).” ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN605 (accessed 2026-10-15)
  3. iNaturalist, “Metcalfa pruinosa taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/126209 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-15. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.