Leafhoppers are small, slender insects that feed on the sap of plants. Common synonyms for leafhoppers include sharpshooters, jassids, spittlebugs, and planthoppers. Sharpshooters are named for their ability to shoot water droplets from their bodies, which may transmit disease from plant to plant. Jassids are similar to leafhoppers, except they have longer wings and their nymphs cover themselves in a white, frothy substance called spittle. Spittlebugs secrete the froth as a protective coating, which can make them challenging to spot. Lastly, planthoppers are a broader category of insects that includes leafhoppers and other species that jump or fly between plants.