Issus (planthopper)
| Issus | |
|---|---|
| Issus coleoptratus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hemiptera |
| Suborder: | Auchenorrhyncha |
| Infraorder: | Fulgoromorpha |
| Superfamily: | Fulgoroidea |
| Family: | Issidae |
| Subfamily: | Issinae |
| Genus: | Issus Fabricius, 1803 |
Issus is a genus of planthoppers belonging to the family Issidae of infraorder Fulgoromorpha of suborder Auchenorrhyncha of order Hemiptera. Like most members of the order Hemiptera (popularly known as the "bug" or "true bugs" order) they live on phloem sap that they extract with their piercing, sucking mouth parts.
Planthoppers are the only animals known to possess a gear mechanism, and Issus coleoptratus is the first type of planthopper to have the mechanism formally described. The mesh sector gears do not transform velocity or torque, and they do not convey much of the power; they only synchronize the jumping motion of the hind legs, preventing yaw (rotation).