Publilia erecta

Plummer, 1935

Publilia erecta is a in the Membracidae, tribe Polyglyptini. Like other members of its , it is known for forming on plants and engaging in mutualistic relationships with ants. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Treehoppers in this genus are notable for their complex social and -tended aggregations, though specific details for P. erecta itself are limited in published literature.

Publilia erecta by (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda. Used under a CC-BY license.

Publilia erecta by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Publilia erecta: //pʌbˈlɪliə ɪˈrɛktə//

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Identification

Publilia erecta can be distinguished from other Publilia by features described in the original description by Plummer (1935). Members of the Publilia are characterized by a pronotum that extends posteriorly over the , with various modifications. Within the tribe Polyglyptini, Publilia species typically exhibit distinct pronotal structures. Accurate identification to species level requires examination of or detailed morphological analysis against the original description, as visual identification from photographs is challenging due to the subtle morphological differences among .

Images

Distribution

Recorded from Arizona in the United States and Morelos in Mexico. Distribution records are sparse, with most documented occurrences in the southwestern United States and south into central Mexico.

Diet

Phloem-feeding on plant sap, like all membracid treehoppers. Specific host plant records for P. erecta are not documented in available sources.

Behavior

Members of the Publilia are known for forming of nymphs and on plants. These aggregations are frequently tended by ants, which collect honeydew excreted by the treehoppers and provide protection in return. The extent and specific patterns of this mutualism in P. erecta have not been separately documented from .

Ecological Role

As phloem-feeders, Publilia erecta functions as a primary consumer in . Through their mutualistic associations with ants, they may influence foraging patterns and local ant dynamics. Their honeydew production provides a resource for ant mutualists.

Similar Taxa

Publilia concavaAnother member of the same with overlapping distribution in North America; distinguished by pronotal shape and other morphological features described by Plummer.
Other Polyglyptini genera (e.g., Polyglypta)Similar overall body plan and -association ; distinguished by pronotal structure and tribal-level morphological characters.