It may not leap tall buildings in a single bound, but a minuscule insect in Iowa gives Superman a run for his money. The ball-nosed planthopper, Fitchiella robertsonii, can leap an astonishing 35 inches—roughly 250 times its body length. For comparison, that’s like a human jumping the length of a football field.
A Rare Find in the Heartland
This incredible measurement was part of a 12-year study by Iowa State University scientists, who were the first to document the biology and ecology of this seldom-seen insect. The species is so rare that nearly all known specimens—around 90 percent of the world’s collection—come from their fieldwork in Iowa’s tallgrass prairies.
Meet the “Ball-Nosed” Planthopper
The researchers affectionately call it the “ball-nosed planthopper” because of its shiny, spherical beak, which it can inflate with fluid. The structure may even help the insects communicate.
Their findings, published in Annals of the Entomological Society of America in July, also documented new life stages, reproductive behaviors, and the first known host plants for the species.
An Accidental Discovery
The story began in 2008, when entomologist M.J. Hatfield caught an unfamiliar insect in a pan trap while collecting bees and wasps in Allamakee County, Iowa. The insect turned out to be F. robertsonii—a species never before recorded in the state. That single specimen set off more than a decade of research into one of the rarest planthoppers known.
Tracking a Hidden Species
Historically, the ball-nosed planthopper had been found only in scattered records from 16 U.S. states and Ontario, Canada. In many regions, it’s considered rare or even endangered. The Iowa researchers ultimately collected 219 individuals from small, isolated prairie remnants, revealing just how limited and fragile the species’ population may be.
Searching the “Goat Prairies”
The first captures came from Iowa’s xeric hill prairies—steep, rocky slopes with thin soils and tough vegetation. Collecting there wasn’t easy. “You need the skills of a goat to negotiate those hillsides,” says lead author Marlin Rice, Ph.D., retired Iowa State entomologist. Locals fittingly call the area “goat prairies,” a name the researchers now use with pride.
Cracking the Habitat Code
After several unsuccessful trips, the team finally struck gold in 2012 when they discovered that F. robertsonii preferred Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans). Once they began sweeping nets through patches of this tall prairie grass, captures skyrocketed.
Later, they identified big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) as a secondary host, expanding the insect’s known range to loess hill prairies in western Iowa.
Peaks and Disappearances
At one particularly rich site, researchers collected 48 planthoppers in just 30 minutes in 2017. But when they returned in 2020 and 2021, hundreds of sweeps yielded nothing.
The sudden disappearance remains a mystery, especially since the habitat still teemed with Indian grass. Even in the right conditions, the planthopper’s populations appear highly unpredictable.
A Species on the Edge
The future of F. robertsonii is uncertain. Less than 0.1 percent of Iowa’s original tallgrass prairie remains—down from the 85 percent that once blanketed the state. Habitat loss, fragmentation, and the encroachment of eastern red cedar pose serious threats to the nearly flightless insect. Without intervention, its days in Iowa may be numbered.
A Hope in the Flames
Ironically, fire may be the planthopper’s best ally. Prescribed burns, used to restore prairie ecosystems, also keep invasive trees in check. Encouragingly, F. robertsonii appears to survive these burns.
Future research will focus on how fire impacts its life cycle—a key to ensuring that this remarkable, leaping survivor continues to grace Iowa’s shrinking prairies.
FAQs
What is the ball-nosed planthopper?
The ball-nosed planthopper, scientifically known as Fitchiella robertsonii, is a tiny, rare insect native to North American prairies. Researchers named it for its shiny, spherical beak, which it can inflate with fluid. This feature may help the planthopper communicate with others of its kind.
How far can the ball-nosed planthopper jump?
A male ball-nosed planthopper can leap up to 35 inches—around 250 times its body length. That makes it one of the most powerful jumpers in the insect world, earning it the nickname ‘the Superman of insects’ from researchers at Iowa State University.
Where was the planthopper discovered?
Scientists discovered the species in Iowa’s remaining tallgrass prairies, particularly in dry, rocky areas known as ‘goat prairies.’ The first specimen in the state was caught by accident in 2008, sparking a 12-year study by researchers at Iowa State University.
What plants does Fitchiella robertsonii live on?
The planthopper depends primarily on Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) and secondarily on big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii). These native prairie grasses provide the habitat and nutrition the species needs to survive and reproduce.
Is the ball-nosed planthopper endangered?
While not officially listed as endangered, the species is extremely rare and vulnerable due to habitat loss. Less than 0.1% of Iowa’s original tallgrass prairie remains, making conservation and prairie restoration critical for its survival.
Can fire help protect the planthopper?
Yes. Controlled prairie burns used to manage invasive species may actually benefit the ball-nosed planthopper. Research suggests that the insects can survive burns, which help maintain the open grasslands they depend on for survival.
