Acanalonia

Distinguished from other planthopper families by the conical head shape and family-level characteristics of Acanaloniidae. Separation from the genus Bulldolonia (established 2012) requires examination of specific morphological characters; several species formerly in Acanalonia were transferred to Bulldolonia based on revised taxonomy.

Generally 10 mm or less in length. Mostly green in color, though some species exhibit pink or tan forms. Body shape characteristic of Acanaloniidae with a distinct cone-shaped head.

Associated with woody and semi-woody plants. Invasive populations in Europe occur in horticultural environments, greenhouses, and outdoor settings with ornamental plantings.

Native to the Americas (North and South America) and southern Europe. Invasive populations established in multiple European countries including Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Italy. Distribution expanding due to human-mediated transport.

One generation per year. In East Romania greenhouse conditions, population peak occurs in late July (25th–31st).

Phloem sap feeding on above-ground portions of woody and semi-woody plants. Specific host associations documented for A. pumila include Eupatorium species, Mikania scandens, Pteridium aquilinum, Rubus, Sambucus canadensis, Smilax, and Solidago.

• Eupatorium capillifolium - host
• Eupatorium hyssopifolium - host
• Eupatorium leucolepis - host
• Eupatorium mohrii - host
• Eupatorium rotundifolium - host
• Eupatorium serotinum - host
• Mikania scandens - host
• Pteridium aquilinum - host
• Rubus sp. - host
• Sambucus canadensis - host
• Smilax sp. - host
• Solidago sp. - host

Hemimetabolous development with egg, nymph, and adult stages. One generation per year. Nymphal stages have been described for some species.

Several species are invasive horticultural pests, particularly A. conica (green cone-headed planthopper). Monitoring and control measures are recommended during population peaks. Spread facilitated by trade and transport of ornamental plants.

• BulldoloniaGenus established in 2012 to accommodate species formerly placed in Acanalonia (A. brevifrons, A. depressa, A. impressa); requires careful morphological examination to distinguish

• planthopper
• invasive
• horticultural pest
• phloem feeder

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Acanalonia conica (Say, 1830): A new alien planthopper species established in Hungary (Auchenorrhyncha: Fulgoroidea: Acanaloniidae)
• New Data and Recent Updates on Invasive Horticultural Pest Species Acanalonia conica (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha) in Romania
• Host Plants and Nymphal Descriptions of Acanalonia pumila and Cyarda sp. near acutissima (Homoptera, Fulgoroidea: Acanaloniidae and Flatidae)
• Acanalonia conica (Hemiptera, Acanaloniidae) – a new exotic species in Bulgaria and Türkiye and its expansion in Europe
• New record of Orientus ishidae (Matsumura, 1902) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in Bulgaria with notes on the distribution of Acanalonia conica (Say, 1830) (Hemiptera: Acanaloniidae)
• First record of three alien Auchenorrhyncha species from Europe: Acanalonia bivittata (Say, 1825), Branchana xanthota Li, 2011, and Dryadomorpha pallida Kirkaldy 1906 (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Acanaloniidae, Cicadellidae)