Cicadomorpha

Martynov, 1927

Spittlebugs, Cicadas, Leafhoppers and Treehoppers

Infraorder Guides

Cercopoidea(froghoppers)
Cicadoidea(cicadas)
Membracoidea(Leafhoppers and Treehoppers)

is an infraorder of Hemiptera comprising approximately 35,000 described worldwide, including cicadas, leafhoppers, treehoppers, and spittlebugs. The group has a fossil record extending to the Late Permian, with extinct such as Palaeontinidae representing diverse Mesozoic lineages. All members are obligate plant-feeders utilizing specialized mouthparts for sap extraction. Many species produce acoustic signals or substrate vibrations for communication, with sound production mechanisms varying among superfamilies.

Magicicada neotredecim by no rights reserved, uploaded by Kirill Levchenko. Used under a CC0 license.

Prosapia bicincta by (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Katja Schulz. Used under a CC-BY license.

Prosapia bicincta by (c) Shannon Foreman, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Shannon Foreman. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cicadomorpha: /sɪˌkædəˈmɔrfə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from Fulgoromorpha (planthoppers) by clypeal structure, nymphal wax composition, and wing venation patterns. Molecular places Membracoidea as sister to a clade containing Cicadoidea and Cercopoidea, though deep relationships remain partially unresolved. -level identification relies on structure, wing venation, and leg modification: Cicadidae (cicadas) with large size, three ocelli, and tymbal organs; Cicadellidae (leafhoppers) with hind enlarged for jumping and reduced pronotum; Membracidae (treehoppers) with pronotum extended into diverse shapes; Aphrophoridae and Cercopidae (spittlebugs/froghoppers) with more robust body and different nymphal habits.

Images

Habitat

Occupies virtually all terrestrial and semi-aquatic worldwide. Specific associations include: grasslands and prairies (many cicadas and grass- leafhoppers); forest and understories (diverse and leafhopper ); riparian zones and wetlands (spittlebugs and certain leafhopper lineages); agricultural systems (numerous pest ); xerothermic grasslands and alpine meadows. plant specificity ranges from monophagy to broad polyphagy, with some species restricted to single plant or species.

Distribution

distribution with recorded from all continental landmasses except Antarctica. Highest diversity in tropical and subtropical regions; approximately 35,000 described species with continued discovery of new . Fossil record documents presence since Late Permian (~260 Ma), with extinct (Palaeontinidae, Scytinopteridae, Prosbolidae, Maguviopseidae) indicating former broader distribution and morphological diversity during Mesozoic.

Seasonality

activity patterns vary by and climate: cicadas typically emerge in summer with some showing multi-year periodicity (e.g., 13- and 17-year periodical cicadas in North America); leafhoppers often or multivoltine with adults present from spring through autumn; spittlebugs with adults appearing late spring to early summer; treehoppers with more extended adult presence. stage varies: (many leafhoppers), nymphs (some spittlebugs), or adults (certain leafhoppers in milder climates).

Diet

All members are obligate phytophagous sap-feeders. Feeding guilds include: phloem feeders (most leafhoppers, particularly Typhlocybinae which also consume mesophyll contents); xylem feeders (Cicadidae, Cercopidae, and some Cicadellidae); mixed or variable feeding strategies within lineages. plants span vascular plants including grasses, forbs, woody shrubs and trees, ferns, and agricultural crops.

Life Cycle

Hemimetabolous development with , nymph, and stages. Nymphal varies: nymphs subterranean, feeding on root xylem for multiple years; spittlebug nymphs typically produce characteristic foam masses ('spittle') on plants; leafhopper and nymphs usually free-living on aerial plant parts. Duration ranges from weeks to multiple years depending on and climate. sexual with diverse mating systems; some cicadas showing mass and synchronized reproduction.

Behavior

Communication through acoustic signaling (cicadas with tymbal organs producing loud airborne sounds; leafhoppers and spittlebugs primarily using substrate-borne vibrations). avoidance strategies include: high-frequency calling inaudible to avian predators (documented in Beameria venosa); high perching; fleeing; hiding; and potentially mass in periodical cicadas. Some show -dependent color or gregarious nymphal .

Ecological Role

Major herbivore component in terrestrial , with densities reaching several hundred individuals per square meter in grassland systems. Significant agricultural pests: many plant including viruses, phytoplasmas, and bacteria causing serious crop losses. Serve as prey for diverse including birds, lizards, spiders, and insects. Some species contribute to nutrient cycling through honeydew production and association with ants. Twelve species listed on Polish Red List of Threatened Animals.

Human Relevance

Agricultural pests of major economic importance: of crop (grapevine yellows, potato leafroll, maize streak virus, citrus variegated , etc.); direct damage through sap removal and honeydew secretion promoting . Cicadas culturally significant in many regions; some consumed as food. Spittlebug foam historically noted but generally harmless. and leafhopper diversity used as bioindicators for quality and conservation status. Research models for , insect-plant interactions, and evolutionary .

Similar Taxa

Fulgoromorpha (planthoppers)Formerly grouped with in suborder Auchenorrhyncha, but distinguished by hydrophobic waxy coating on nymphs (vs. secretions from in Cicadomorpha), different structure, and distinct molecular phylogenetic placement.

More Details

Alternative nomenclature

Some authors use 'Clypeorrhyncha' (from Latin 'shield' and Greek rhúnkhos 'nose') as replacement for extant , reflecting the characteristic enlarged clypeus.

Fossil diversity

Extinct include Palaeontinidae ('giant cicadas' of Mesozoic), Scytinopteridae, Prosbolidae, Maguviopseidae, and others, documenting substantial morphological and ecological diversity from Permian through Cretaceous periods.

Phylogenetic relationships

Molecular studies support three extant superfamilies: Membracoidea (leafhoppers and treehoppers), Cicadoidea (cicadas), and Cercopoidea (spittlebugs), with Membracoidea as sister to Cicadoidea + Cercopoidea.