treehopper
noun
tree·hop·per
ˈtrē-ˌhä-pər 
: any of a family (Membracidae) of small leaping homopterous insects that feed on the sap especially of shrubs and trees
Examples of treehopper in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While browsing through a collection of treehopper specimens, Brendan Morris, a graduate student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, recently identified a new genus of treehopper, as brash and strange in its appearance as its cousins.
—
Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Mar. 2020
See a small fiddler crab scuttling along a log; a skink's dark and half-closed eye; a tiny green buffalo treehopper clinging, upside-down, to a leaf; a Brazilian verbena flower so small that dozens could fit on a quarter.
—Star Tribune, 29 June 2021
Morris, who studies entomology, named the species after the pop diva in an attempt to highlight treehoppers.
—Danielle Garrand, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2020
According to researchers, treehoppers suck on plant juices, sing to each other by vibrating plant stems, and are a vital food source for other forest creatures.
—Fox News, 13 Mar. 2020
The treehopper insect from Nicaragua, known as Kaikaia gaga, certainly brings to mind the singer's bizarre, colorful costumes.
—Fox News, 13 Mar. 2020
But treehoppers have never gotten their due, according to Brendan Morris, an entomology graduate student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who studied and named the new insect.
—Scottie Andrew, CNN, 11 Mar. 2020
The specimen has features that appeared different from the other treehoppers collected.
—Danielle Garrand, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2020
As their name suggests, treehoppers are capable of some amazing acrobatics.
—Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian, 9 Dec. 2019
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Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Mar. 2020
See a small fiddler crab scuttling along a log; a skink's dark and half-closed eye; a tiny green buffalo treehopper clinging, upside-down, to a leaf; a Brazilian verbena flower so small that dozens could fit on a quarter.
—Star Tribune, 29 June 2021
Morris, who studies entomology, named the species after the pop diva in an attempt to highlight treehoppers.
—Danielle Garrand, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2020
According to researchers, treehoppers suck on plant juices, sing to each other by vibrating plant stems, and are a vital food source for other forest creatures.
—Fox News, 13 Mar. 2020
The treehopper insect from Nicaragua, known as Kaikaia gaga, certainly brings to mind the singer's bizarre, colorful costumes.
—Fox News, 13 Mar. 2020
But treehoppers have never gotten their due, according to Brendan Morris, an entomology graduate student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who studied and named the new insect.
—Scottie Andrew, CNN, 11 Mar. 2020
The specimen has features that appeared different from the other treehoppers collected.
—Danielle Garrand, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2020
As their name suggests, treehoppers are capable of some amazing acrobatics.
—Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian, 9 Dec. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Treehopper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/treehopper. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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treehopper
noun
tree·hop·per
ˈtrē-ˌhäp-ər
: any of several small leaping insects that are related to the leafhoppers and feed on sap from branches and twigs
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