Membracoidea

Definition

A superfamily of sap-feeding true bugs (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha) comprising the leafhoppers (Cicadellidae), treehoppers (Membracidae), and several smaller relict families including Myerslopiidae and Melizoderidae. Distinguished from other auchenorrhynchan superfamilies by reduced wing venation, specialized jumping hind legs in most members, and often elaborate pronotal modifications in treehoppers. The group shows highest diversity in the Neotropics, suggesting a Gondwanan origin.

Etymology

From Membracis (type genus of treehoppers) + -oidea (superfamily suffix)

Example

The cosmopolitan potato leafhopper Empoasca fabae (Cicadellidae) and the pronotally ornamented treehopper Umbonia crassicornis (Membracidae) represent the two dominant families within Membracoidea.

Related Terms

• Cicadellidae
• Membracidae
• Auchenorrhyncha
• Cicadoidea
• Fulgoroidea
• pronotum
• tymbal

Usage Notes

Formerly grouped with cicadas and spittlebugs under the paraphyletic 'Homoptera'; now recognized as a monophyletic clade within Auchenorrhyncha. The smaller families Aetalionidae, Eurymelidae, and Hylicidae are sometimes synonymized with larger families depending on classification scheme. Myerslopiidae, restricted to New Zealand and southern South America, represents a notable biogeographic relict.