# Northern Flatid Planthopper

*Flatormenis proxima*

Nymphs of this species secrete a white, fluffy wax from their abdomens that makes them look like tiny walking pieces of lint, protecting them from predators.

- **Taxonomy:** Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Hemiptera › Flatidae › Flatormenis
- **IUCN Red List status:** Least Concern
- **Population trend:** stable
- **Biome:** forest
- **Habitat:** Deciduous forests, edge habitats, orchards, and suburban gardens.
- **Diet:** Phloem sap extracted from woody plants, including maples, oaks, and ashes.
- **Range:** North America, United States, Canada
- **Size:** 7 to 9 mm in length
- **Lifespan:** Under 1 year
- **Active:** diurnal
- **Threats:** Broad-spectrum pesticide applications in suburban and agricultural areas.
- **Safe to approach?:** Completely harmless to humans. You can safely observe these tiny insects up close on leaves and stems. They do not bite or sting, though they will quickly leap away if touched.

## About

Flatormenis proxima , known generally as the northern flatid planthopper or mealy flatid planthopper , is a species of flatid planthopper in the family Flatidae.

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/86bc87e3-9e5b-4b47-a75b-abb52be2371a
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/415285
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatormenis proxima
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/4391902/medium.jpg (Katja Schulz, CC-BY, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.