treehopper

noun

tree·​hop·​per ˈtrē-ˌhä-pər How to pronounce treehopper (audio)
: 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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'treehopper.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1839, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of treehopper was circa 1839

Dictionary Entries Near treehopper

Cite this Entry

“Treehopper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/treehopper. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

treehopper

noun
tree·​hop·​per ˈtrē-ˌhäp-ər How to pronounce treehopper (audio)
: any of several small leaping insects that are related to the leafhoppers and feed on sap from branches and twigs

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