Publilia

Stål, 1866

Species Guides

Publilia is a of treehoppers (Membracidae) native to North America, with occurring primarily in the eastern and central United States. The genus is notable for forming dense on plants, particularly goldenrods (Solidago spp.), where nymphs and are tended by ants in exchange for honeydew. This mutualistic relationship has made Publilia a model system for studying -hemipteran interactions and their ecological consequences for host plants. The genus is distinguished from related treehoppers by its relatively unadorned pronotum compared to the elaborate projections seen in many Neotropical membracids.

Publilia porrecta by (c) Even Dankowicz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Even Dankowicz. Used under a CC-BY license.

Publilia concava by (c) christine123, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by christine123. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Publilia: //pʌbˈlɪliə//

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

Identification

Distinguished from other Nearctic by relatively modest pronotal structure lacking elaborate horns or projections characteristic of many Smiliini and Aconophorini. Nymphs form dense on plant stems, often with visible white waxy secretions. are small, typically under 10 mm, with a rounded or slightly keeled pronotum. -level identification requires examination of genitalia and detailed pronotal ; P. concava has a distinctly concave pronotum, while P. reticulata shows reticulate surface sculpturing.

Images

Habitat

Open fields, meadows, and disturbed dominated by grasses and herbs; specifically associated with plants in the Asteraceae, particularly goldenrods (Solidago spp.) and ironweeds (Vernonia spp.).

Distribution

Eastern and central North America; recorded from Vermont southward and westward through the central United States.

Seasonality

oviposit in early June; nymphs present from late June through mid-September; peak densities occur in mid-July.

Diet

Phloem sap; obtained by piercing leaf midribs and stems of plants with specialized .

Host Associations

Solidago altissima - primary planttall goldenrod
Solidago spp. - plantmultiple goldenrod used
Vernonia noveboracensis - plantNew York ironweed
Formica subsericea - tending mutualistic association
Camponotus noveboracensis - tending mutualistic association
Lasius alienus - tending constructs soil shelters around
Formica spp. - tending general association on sunflowers

Life Cycle

Females oviposit on plant stems in early June. Nymphs hatch by late June and develop through several instars, forming dense that persist through summer. Aggregations can exceed 500 individuals on a single plant ramet. present from mid-summer; stage not explicitly documented in available sources but presumed to be based on typical membracid .

Behavior

Forms dense, stationary on plant stems; excretes honeydew that attracts tending ants. Multiple may simultaneously tend a single aggregation. Ants provide protection from and ; in return, treehoppers receive nearly continuous defense. Feeding on leaf midribs causes visible damage including drooping and accelerated browning. Some ant species construct fragile soil shelters around aggregations.

Ecological Role

Participant in -hemipteran mutualism; net effect on plants is context-dependent. Ant defense against other herbivores may benefit plants during conditions, but feeding damage may outweigh benefits when other herbivores are scarce. Serves as prey for specialized and when ant protection is absent.

Similar Taxa

GuayaquilaBoth form -tended on plants, but Guayaquila is Neotropical with long forward-projecting pronotal horns and laterally directed processes; Publilia is Nearctic with relatively unadorned pronotum
AconophoraBoth in Smiliinae with associations, but Aconophora has long, forward-projecting pronotal horn and is primarily Neotropical
Aphis vernoniaeBoth occur on New York ironweed and are -tended, but spatially segregated with aphids concentrated in inflorescences and Publilia on middle leaves early in season; aphids are aphids (Aphididae) with cornicles, while Publilia are treehoppers (Membracidae) with enlarged pronotum