Amastrini
Goding, 1926
Genus Guides
4Amastrini is a tribe of treehoppers within the Membracidae, Smiliinae. The tribe was established by Goding in 1926 and contains at least four and approximately eight described . Members are distributed in the New World, with records from North America (including the southwestern United States) and Mexico. As treehoppers, they possess the characteristic enlarged pronotum that distinguishes the family Membracidae.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Amastrini: //ˌæmæsˈtraɪni//
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Identification
Amastrini belongs to the Smiliinae, one of the more derived membracid lineages. The tribe can be distinguished from other Smiliinae tribes by genitalic and pronotal characteristics, though specific diagnostic features require examination. The Vanduzea (included in this tribe) is characterized by a relatively simple, unornamented pronotum compared to the elaborate structures seen in many other genera. -level identification relies on examination of male genitalia and detailed pronotal .
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Distribution
New World distribution, with records from the southwestern United States (Arizona) and Mexico. The tribe occurs within the broader Neotropical and Nearctic regions where the Smiliinae is diverse.
Similar Taxa
- SmiliiniAnother tribe within Smiliinae; differs in pronotal and genitalic structure, with Smiliini generally more diverse and widespread in North America
- CeresiniTribe in the same ; Ceresini includes -mimicking such as Poppea with highly modified pronota, whereas Amastrini genera like Vanduzea have simpler pronotal forms
More Details
Taxonomic note
The tribe Amastrini is part of the Smiliinae, which represents one of the major radiations of treehoppers in the New World. The classification of Smiliinae tribes has undergone revision, and the composition of Amastrini may be subject to change with further phylogenetic study.