Versute Sharpshooter Graphocephala versuta

These minuscule leafhoppers earned their dramatic name from an unusual feeding behavior: they feed on plant xylem and eject excess water backward in rapid streams. The liquid projectiles can shoot several inches away from their tiny bodies. It's one of the most precise water-management systems in the insect world. They spend their lives hopping between plants, using their piercing mouthparts to tap directly into the plant's vascular system. Watch for the telltale wet spots on leaves below—that's a sign these skilled shooters are nearby.