Black Locust Treehopper

Vanduzea arquata

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Auchenorrhyncha
Infraorder: Cicadomorpha
Superfamily: Membracoidea
Family: Membracidae
Subfamily: Smiliinae
Tribe: Amastrini
Genus: Vanduzea
Species: arquata

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Vanduzea arquata: /vænˈduːziə ɑːrˈkwɑːtə/

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

Images

286 365 - Black Locust Treehopper - Vanduzea arquata and Ferruginous Carpenter Ant - Camponotus chromaiodes, Leesylvania State Park, Woodbridge, Virginia, October 14, 2023 (53260255197) by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Ignatz 6 by Ignaz Matausch. Used under a Public domain license.

Black Locust Treehopper - Vanduzea arquata, Leesylvania State Park, Virginia by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Ferruginous Carpenter Ant - Camponotus chromaiodes and Black Locust Treehoppers - Vanduzea arquata, Leesylvania State Park, Woodbridge, Virginia, May 25, 2023 (53426161116) by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Ants (Camponotus castaneus) and Black Locust Treehoppers (Vanduzea arquata), Leesylvania State Park, Woodbridge, Virginia by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Black Locust Treehopper - Vanduzea arquata, Hidden Pond Nature Center, Springfield, Virginia, July 25, 2022 (52494232748) by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Summary

Vanduzea arquata is a species of treehopper that is notably found on Black Locust trees in North America, characterized by its wedge-shaped body and mutualistic relationship with ants.

Physical Characteristics

Circa 6 mm, brown, wedge-shaped body with no crest, and a white arc-shaped mark on the side.

Identification Tips

Look for these treehoppers on Black Locust trees, notably due to their distinct wedge shape and color.

Habitat

Exclusively found on Black Locust trees (Robinia pseudoacacia).

Distribution

Mostly eastern United States and Ontario, Canada; reported from regions from NA to AZ.

Diet

Herbivorous, feeding on the sap of Black Locust trees.

Life Cycle

Females lay eggs in the buds of Black Locust trees during the growing season.

Reproduction

Eggs are inserted into the plant tissue of buds, allowing nymphs to hatch in a suitable environment.

Predators

Attended by ants that provide protection from predators, specifically the predaceous Nabis subcoleoptratus.

Ecosystem Role

Serves as a herbivore that feeds on Black Locust, interacting with both plants and attending ant species.

Cultural Significance

Commonly known as the Black Locust Treehopper due to its association with Black Locust trees.

Collecting Methods

Hand collecting from host trees
Sweep netting in the vicinity of Black Locust trees

Preservation Methods

Pinning specimens
Alcohol preservation for temperature-sensitive specimens

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Some may confuse it with other treehoppers or inaccurately identify its predatory relationships.