Bothriocerinae
Muir, 1923
Tribe Guides
1Bothriocerinae is a of planthoppers within the Cixiidae (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha), established by Muir in 1923. The group was historically treated as a tribe (Bothriocerini) within Cixiinae, and this classification persists in some taxonomic databases. Members of this subfamily are small to medium-sized fulgoroid insects with the characteristic of Cixiidae. The subfamily has been documented in iNaturalist with over 3,700 observations, indicating moderate representation in citizen science records.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Bothriocerinae: //ˌbɒθri.oʊˈsɛrɪniː//
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Identification
Bothriocerinae can be distinguished from other Cixiidae by features of the male genitalia, particularly the structure of the and genital styles. The subfamily is characterized by specific wing venation patterns and body proportions that separate it from the nominate subfamily Cixiinae. Identification to subfamily level requires examination of microscopic characters and is not feasible from photographs alone.
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Distribution
Members of Bothriocerinae have been documented across multiple continents based on iNaturalist observations, though precise geographic boundaries remain undefined in published literature.
Ecological Role
As members of Cixiidae, Bothriocerinae likely function as plant-sap feeders and may serve as for plant , though specific ecological roles for this have not been documented separately from the level.
Similar Taxa
- CixiinaeBothriocerinae was historically classified as a tribe (Bothriocerini) within Cixiinae, and the two groups share general Cixiidae ; they are distinguished by male genitalic characters and wing venation details.
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Taxonomic Status
The classification of Bothriocerinae varies between sources. iNaturalist treats it as a , while Catalogue of Life lists it as a synonym of Bothriocerini (tribe) within Cixiinae. This reflects ongoing uncertainty in Cixiidae higher-level .