Entylia

Germar, 1833

keel-shaped treehopper

Species Guides

Entylia carinata(keeled treehopper)

Entylia is a of treehoppers in the Membracidae, first described by Germar in 1833. The genus contains at least three described , including Entylia carinata, which is known for its distinctive keel-shaped pronotum that resembles plant debris. These insects are notable for their mutualistic relationships with ants, which protect them from in exchange for honeydew. The genus is distributed in North America, with observations recorded from regions including the northeastern United States.

Entylia carinata by (c) Bill Keim, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Entylia carinata by (c) Healthy Yards, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Healthy Yards. Used under a CC-BY license.

Entylia carinata by (c) Gustavo Masuzzo, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Gustavo Masuzzo. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Entylia: /ɛnˈtɪliə/

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

Identification

Distinguished from other by the specific shape of the pronotal projection—keel-shaped in E. carinata, in E. emarginata, and turrite in E. turrita. The presence of attendants at colonies can aid detection. Resembles plant damage or debris more than typical insects, making visual detection challenging without close inspection of plants.

Images

Habitat

Found on herbaceous perennials, particularly members of the Asteraceae including cup-plant (Silphium perfoliatum), fleabane, crownbeard, and sunflowers. Colonies establish on leaf undersides where vascular bundles provide feeding sites.

Distribution

North America; recorded from northeastern United States including Vermont and Maryland, with distribution likely broader across eastern and central regions. Specific range boundaries for individual remain incompletely documented.

Seasonality

Active during growing season of plants; in temperate regions, nymphs and present from late spring through summer when Asteraceae are in vegetative and flowering stages.

Diet

Phloem feeder; extracts nutrient-rich plant sap from vascular bundles of plants using .

Host Associations

Silphium perfoliatum - plantcup-plant, major for colonies
Erigeron - plantfleabane
Verbesina - plantcrownbeard
Helianthus - plantsunflowers

Life Cycle

with , nymph, and stages. Nymphs aggregate in colonies on plant leaves and are attended by ants. Adults retain pronotal modifications. Specific timing of varies with latitude and host plant .

Behavior

Forms on plant leaves. Produces -rich honeydew as waste product of sap feeding. Antennal stroking by attending ants elicits honeydew release through abdominal lifting. guards respond aggressively to disturbance, delivering bites to potential threats.

Ecological Role

Trophobiont in mutualistic relationship with ants; provides energy source (honeydew) to colonies in exchange for protection from and . Serves as prey for predators when ant protection is absent. Contributes to nutrient cycling through phloem feeding and honeydew production.

Human Relevance

No direct economic importance; occasionally observed by gardeners and naturalists on ornamental or native perennials. Serves as example of -hemipteran mutualism in ecological education. Not known as agricultural pest.

Similar Taxa

Other Membracidae generaMany treehoppers possess enlarged pronota, but Entylia is distinguished by specific keel, , or turrite shapes and association with Asteraceae .
AphidsAlso form -tended colonies on plants and produce honeydew, but lack modified pronotum and have soft-bodied, pear-shaped form with cornicles.
Scale insectsProduce honeydew and attended by ants, but are as and lack mobile nymphal stages with visible pronotal structures.

More Details

Ant mutualism details

Colonies of Entylia carinata are consistently attended by chestnut-colored carpenter ants (Camponotus). Ants stroke treehoppers with to stimulate honeydew release and deliver defensive bites to intruders. Experimental removal of ants increases and on treehoppers.

Camouflage function

The pronotal projection in Entylia mimics plant parts such as thorns or damaged leaf tissue, potentially reducing detection by visual including birds and reptiles. This deception complements chemical defense provided by bodyguards.