Nymphidae

Nymphidae is a family of true bugs belonging to the order Hemiptera. These insects are also commonly known as lanternflies or lantern bugs. They are characterized by their often colorful and elaborate wing patterns, and many species possess a prominent, often elongated, head projection. This projection varies greatly in size and shape among different species and may be hollow, filled with fluid, or solid. Despite their common names, lanternflies do not emit light. The function of the head projection is not fully understood but is believed to play a role in species recognition, camouflage, or perhaps as a resonating chamber for sound production.

Nymphidae are found primarily in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, Asia, and Africa. They are plant-feeding insects, using their piercing-sucking mouthparts to extract sap from a wide variety of host plants, including trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants. Some species can be agricultural pests due to the damage they inflict on crops and the potential for disease transmission. The life cycle of nymphids involves incomplete metamorphosis, with nymphal stages that often resemble the adult but lack fully developed wings. Many nymphal stages are gregarious and can be found feeding in large numbers.