leafhopper

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noun leaf·hop·per \ˈlēf-ˌhä-pər\

Definition of leafhopper

: any of a family (Cicadellidae) of small leaping homopterous insects that suck the juices of plants

Recent Examples of leafhopper from the Web

There was one group in the study, the leafhoppers, whose numbers actually increased in the presence of a compressor.

— veronique greenwood, The Atlantic, "Is Noise Pollution Making Desert Bugs Disappear?," 2 June 2017
Although some of the species have adapted to live happily alongside humans, such as book lice, others, such as leafhoppers and gall midges, are accidental visitors.

— matt bertone, National Geographic, "500 Kinds of Bugs May be Living in Your House," 19 Jan. 2016
The researchers found that male leafhoppers optimize the process by first accurately identifying a potential mate and then finding her as quickly as possible.

— mary bates, WIRED, "Lustful Leafhoppers Locate Each Other Through Good Vibrations," 18 Sep. 2014
Six species of cotton insects, along with an assortment of thrips, fruit moths, leafhoppers, caterpillars, mites, aphids, wireworms, and others, are now able to ignore the farmer’s assault with chemical sprays.

— rachel carson, The New Yorker, "Silent Spring—II," 1 Jan. 1950

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'leafhopper.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.