Dictyopharidae is a family of planthoppers containing hundreds of species distributed in many parts of the world. Many adults have an elongated head process, wings held roof-like over the body, and jumping hind legs. The antennae arise below the compound eyes, a feature shared with other planthoppers. Exact identification commonly depends on small anatomical details, so the photographed insects are retained at family level.

Adults and nymphs use piercing mouthparts to take fluid from vascular plants. Nymphs of many planthopper groups produce wax from abdominal plates; the pale filaments can repel water, obscure the body outline, and interfere with small predators. The photographs show the substantial difference between the white wax-covered nymph and the reticulated winged adult. Photographed in Minca, Colombia.