The family Derbidae (commonly called derbids) is a large and diverse group of planthoppers (Fulgoroidea, Hemiptera), widely distributed in the tropics and also found in subtropical and temperate regions.

[2] The adults suck the sap of plants while the nymphs live mainly in decaying organic matter, for example under the bark of dead tree trunks, feeding on fungi.

In some groups of species the general structure of the insects is largely uniform, whereas in others like in the subfamily Otiocerinae various forms can be found.

[5][6][7] They can be distinguished from other planthopper families by a combination of different characters, the most important one being the very short terminal segment of the rostrum which is often only as long as wide.

[4][7] The illustration of Eocenchrea maorica on this page highlights the short terminal segment and also shows the general appearance of a derbid which is found in a number of tribes.

[7][3] Various other forms can be found among the Derbidae, especially in the shape and length of the wings, how these are held at rest, as well as the structure of the head and the antennae.

The head may be extended and extremely compressed in frontal view with the anterior part consisting of two thin, leaf-like blades.

In Mozambique, Diostrombus mkurangai (tribe Zoraidini) was one of the most common sap-sucking insects on coconut palms affected by the lethal yellowing disease and the causal phytoplasma agent was present in this derbid.

One of two coconut palms exposed to 4,380 Diostrombus derbids tested positive for the disease with PCR, but failed to develop symptoms.