Cixiidae
Guides
Bothriocera
Bothriocera is a genus of planthoppers in the family Cixiidae, tribe Bothriocerini. The genus was established by Burmeister in 1835 and contains species distributed in the Neotropical region. Bothriocera substigmatica, a representative species, is endemic to the Lesser Antilles and has been redescribed based on modern specimens, revealing previously unknown morphological details including male genitalia.
Bothriocera cognita
Bothriocera cognita is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Caldwell in 1943. It belongs to the tribe Bothriocerini, a group characterized by distinctive morphological features within the Cixiinae subfamily. The species has been documented across multiple eastern and midwestern U.S. states based on occurrence records. As with other cixiid planthoppers, it likely exhibits a life cycle involving root-feeding nymphal stages and winged adult dispersal.
Bothriocera furcata
Bothriocera furcata is a planthopper species in the family Cixiidae, first described by Caldwell in 1943. It belongs to the tribe Bothriocerini within the subfamily Cixiinae. The species is recorded from several southeastern U.S. states including Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Virginia. As a member of the Fulgoromorpha, it shares the characteristic morphology of planthoppers with enlarged hind legs adapted for jumping.
Bothriocera knulli
Bothriocera knulli is a small planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Caldwell in 1943. It belongs to the tribe Bothriocerini and is found in the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and Texas. Like other cixiids, it is a phloem-feeding insect associated with vascular plants. The species epithet honors Joseph Knull, a prominent American coleopterist who described many western North American beetles.
Bothriocera omani
Bothriocera omani is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Kramer in 1983. The species has been identified as a predator of the Dubas bug (Ommatissus lybicus), a serious pest of date palms in the Middle East and North Africa, based on molecular gut content analysis. It was collected from date palm plantations in Oman as part of a study identifying natural enemies of O. lybicus.
Bothriocera tex
Bothriocera tex is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Kramer in 1983. It belongs to the tribe Bothriocerini within the subfamily Cixiinae. The species is known from Texas and Belize based on distribution records. As a member of the Cixiidae, it is a small, typically cryptically colored insect that feeds on plant phloem sap.
Bothriocera transversa
Bothriocera transversa is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Caldwell in 1943. It belongs to the tribe Bothriocerini within the subfamily Cixiinae. The species is known from Florida, USA, where it inhabits its native range. As a member of the Fulgoromorpha, it is a true bug with piercing-sucking mouthparts typical of this group.
Bothriocerinae
Bothriocerinae is a subfamily of planthoppers within the family 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 morphology of Cixiidae. The subfamily has been documented in iNaturalist with over 3,700 observations, indicating moderate representation in citizen science records.
Bothriocerini
Bothriocerini is a tribe of planthoppers within the family Cixiidae, first described by Muir in 1923. Members are small to medium-sized fulgoromorphans characterized by specific wing venation patterns and genitalic structures that distinguish them from related cixiid tribes. The tribe is primarily distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, with documented presence across multiple continents. Bothriocerini species are associated with diverse plant hosts and contribute to ecosystem processes as herbivores and potential vectors of plant pathogens.
Cixius angustatus
Cixius angustatus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Caldwell in 1938. The species is native to North America, with records from Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, and Missouri. As a member of the Cixiidae family, it belongs to a group of planthoppers whose nymphal stages are typically associated with root-feeding habits, though species-specific biology for C. angustatus remains poorly documented.
Cixius apicalis
Cixius apicalis is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Metcalf in 1923. The species belongs to a family whose nymphs are root-feeders, though specific details for this species remain limited. It has been recorded across northeastern and midwestern North America, with observations spanning from Connecticut and New York west to Illinois and north to Manitoba and New Brunswick.
Cixius balli
Cixius balli is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Kramer in 1981. It belongs to the genus Cixius, a diverse group of sap-feeding insects within the order Hemiptera. The species is known from distribution records in Arizona, USA. Like other cixiids, it is presumed to feed on plant vascular fluids, though specific host associations remain unstudied.
Cixius clitellus
Cixius clitellus is a planthopper species in the family Cixiidae, first described by Ball in 1937. It belongs to a genus of planthoppers known for their distinctive head structure and jumping ability. The species is listed in the Catalogue of Life as accepted, though detailed biological information appears limited in published sources.
Cixius coloepeum
Cixius coloepeum is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Fitch in 1856. It is native to North America with recorded occurrences in the western and central United States and southwestern Canada. The species belongs to a genus of small, delicate planthoppers that feed on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts. No observations have been documented on iNaturalist, suggesting it may be underrecorded or genuinely rare.
Cixius misellus
Cixius misellus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Van Duzee in 1916. It belongs to a family of small, jumping insects often associated with woody plants. The species has been recorded from western North America including Alberta, British Columbia, Colorado, and Connecticut. Like other cixiids, it likely feeds on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts. Available information on this species is limited, with only three observations recorded in iNaturalist.
Cixius nervosus
common lacehopper
A widespread planthopper species in the tribe Cixiini, occurring across Europe, the East Palearctic, and Nearctic realms. Adults are active from May to October and inhabit deciduous trees, hedgerows, meadows, and scrublands. Sexual dimorphism is present in body size, with females larger than males.
CixiidaeplanthopperwidespreadEuropeNearcticPalearcticdeciduous-forestmeadowscrublandsexual-dimorphismtransparent-wingsbanded-wingsMay-to-Octobercommon-speciesLinnaeus-1758CixiinilacehopperHemipteraAuchenorrhynchaFulgoromorphakeeled-scutellumcostal-spotssubspecies-presenttaxonomic-revision-historyiNaturalist:1386-observationsCixius nike
Cixius nike is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Kramer in 1981. It belongs to the large genus Cixius, which comprises numerous species distributed across multiple continents. The species has been recorded from several North American locations including Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, and Manitoba.
Cixius pini
Cixius pini is a planthopper species in the family Cixiidae, described by Fitch in 1851. It is native to North America and has been recorded from multiple U.S. states including Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, and the District of Columbia. Like other cixiid planthoppers, it likely feeds on plant phloem sap. The species belongs to a family whose nymphs typically develop underground, feeding on roots, while adults are more mobile and may be associated with woody plants including conifers.
Cixius yufengi
Cixius yufengi is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Tsaur in 1993. The species belongs to a genus of small, often inconspicuous insects that feed on plant sap. Very little specific information is available about this particular species.
planthopperCixiidaeCalifornia-endemicTsaur-1993AuchenorrhynchaFulgoromorphasap-feederHemipterainsectarthropodHexapodaAnimaliaEukaryotaDelphacoideaCixiinaeCixiiniCixiusspeciesacceptedGBIFCatalogue-of-LifetaxonomydistributionCaliforniaUSAUnited-StatesNorth-Americaendemicinvertebratehemipterantrue-bugbuginsectaanimalhexapodeukaryotearthropodacixius-yufengiyufengiTsaur1993scientific-namecanonical-nameauthorshiprankstatusgenusspecific-epithetclassificationtaxonomy-matchexactkingdomphylumclassorderfamilydistribution-recordsBuglifeendemic-speciesBritish-endemicsIvell's-Sea-AnemoneEdwardsia-ivelliWidewater-LagoonSussexextinctlikely-extinctnot-seen-in-over-forty-years19731983dance-flyPoecilobothrus-majesticusEssex1907Caledonian-PlanthopperCixius-caledonicusnot-seen-for-70-yearsManx-Shearwater-FleaCeratophyllus-fionnus1960sTurk's-Earth-CentipedeNothogeophilus-turkiIsles-of-ScillyIsle-of-Wight1988never-seen-againconservationJames-Harding-MorrisbookBritish-endemic-invertebratesCraig-MacadamCeltic-WoodlouseMetatrichoniscoides-celticusWaleswestern-fringes-of-England1980sChater's-BristletailDilta-chateriiridescentjumping-powers1990sLundy-Cabbage-Flea-BeetlePsylliodes-luridipennisLundy-IslandDevonco-endemismLundy-Cabbageendemic-plantLundy-Cabbage-WeevilCeutorhynchus-contractus-pallipestaxonomic-uncertaintyHorrid-Ground-weaverNothophantes-horridusPlymouthdevelopmentNorthern-February-Red-StoneflyBrachyptera-putataScotlanddrummingabdomen-tappingBritish-Cave-ShrimpNiphargus-glennieiblindghostly-palecavesdamp-rock-fissurestemporary-puddleshumid-cavesrediscoveredprotectedsurvivalconservation-prioritiesglobal-responsibilityevolutionary-twistsecological-intriguehopenatural-heritageBack-from-the-BrinkRSPBBig-Garden-BirdwatchBSBINew-Year-Plant-Huntplantswildlifenaturecommunicationspublic-engagementcampaignsrare-speciesobscure-speciesoverlooked-speciesirreplaceable-specieslocal-wondersglobal-stakesisolationthousands-of-yearsmillions-of-yearsevolutionlandscapesRed-SquirrelHedgehogEuropeshared-speciesnowhere-elseno-backupno-second-chancescelebrationprotectioncherishrecogniseawarenesshabitat-protectionresearchforgotten-creaturesspotlightslipping-through-the-cracksunknown-to-publicrarely-surveyedbarely-hanging-onalready-goneuncomfortable-truthimportant-speciesleast-knownstrangedeeply-unsettlingsole-global-responsibilitylose-them-everywhereorganisationsfighting-to-changeextraordinary-workrarestmost-threatenedentirely-overlookedforgottenevolvedstep-with-Britain's-landscapesfamiliar-speciesshare-with-Europepopulation-overseasreintroducelose-themwrittenjourneyoverlookedirreplaceablefound-nowhere-else-on-Earthcall-to-recogniseprotectuniquely-oursavailable-nowbooksellersspecies-found-nowhere-else-on-Earthpassionate-nature-enthusiastlifelong-loveexploringnatural-worldtrekkingmountainsrare-flowersscouringfenselusive-mothsinvestigatingexotic-invertebrateshothousesfascinationunwaveringprofessional-lifeconservation-sectorhigh-impact-campaignsinspiredEngland's-rarestmost-obscure-speciesmissionBritain-and-Irelandfall-in-love-with-plantsSHAREFacebookLinkedInguest-blogauthorhow-many-speciesfound-only-in-Britainsimple-questioncomprehensive-listresearchingwriting2022referenceburied-in-booksscattered-across-internettucked-awayminds-of-species-expertsresultover-700-speciesat-least-another-100-subspeciesoccur-nowhere-else-on-Earthtotal-global-responsibilityvery-few-peoplename-even-a-single-onestruckmost-irreplaceable-specieslive-or-diedecisions-made-within-our-borderstop-of-conservation-prioritiescelebratedunderstoodset-outtell-their-storiesunique-invertebratesincredibly-fortunateBuglife's-Conservation-Directorfirst-timecompiling-report20-speciesfive-species-of-flyfour-species-of-beetletwo-stonefliesone-eachwoodlousecentipedemillipedefleabristletailspidershrimpsea-anemonetell-storiesgo-out-and-find-thempicked-fivetrack-downbumped-intocouple-moresearched-under-coastal-rocksexquisitepearly-translucenttiny-speciesbarely-2.5mm-longfirst-discoveredknown-only-from-Walesnearbysearched-dampferny-woodlandsalien-lookingastonishing-jumping-powersnamed-new-to-sciencetravelledDevon's-Lundy-Islandtry-and-seeparticularly-rare-pairingonly-known-exampleendemic-beetlepossibly-endemicspend-their-liveswintry-visitsearchelusive-and-threatenedfound-in-just-a-few-siteswithin-the-cityperpetually-under-pressureowes-its-survivaltireless-effortsguided-tourprime-Northern-February-Red-Stoneflyhabitatblew-my-mindmusical-prowessstoneflies-'drum'tapping-their-abdomensslithering-through-tightmuddyunderground-tunnelspersonal-favouriteutterly-gorgeousspends-its-lifechance-searchDevon-coastfirst-sightingalmost-thirty-yearsones-we've-lostimmediately-drawnonly-ever-knownunfortunatelyCraig's-reporthasn't-been-seenover-forty-yearsfirst-collectedlast-seenwithin-a-decadeknowing-this-species-existedgone-foreversadlynot-uncommon-themeendemic-invertebratesdiscoveredhasn't-been-foundover-a-century70-yearsdon't-think-anyonespottedsince-the-1960snot-long-afterfirst-describedfirst-foundstrange-and-uncomfortable-truthsome-of-the-most-important-speciesalso-some-of-the-least-knownby-definitionBritain's-sole-global-responsibilitylose-them-heredespite-that-significancethankfullyorganisations-fightingraising-awarenessrarest-and-most-threatenedotherwise-remainleading-edge-researchevolved-in-stepBritain's-landscapesthousandsunlike-more-familiar-speciesno-population-overseasnowhere-to-reintroducewhy-I-wrote-Endemicutterly-uniquemosseswoodlicebeetlesbuttercupsstories-full-ofright-attentionactionstill-be-savedheld-onpossiblewithin-our-reachall-good-booksellersoverlooked-and-irreplaceableBacks-Goldilocks-ButtercupHeather-StuckeyAbout-the-Authortrekking-up-mountainsscouring-fensinvestigating-exotic-invertebratesfascination-with-wildlifeRSPB's-Big-Garden-BirdwatchBSBI's-New-Year-Plant-HuntBack-from-the-Brink-projectcare-deeplycurrentlyensure-everyoneopportunitywork-with-BSBISHARE-ONHaplaxius
Haplaxius is a genus of cixiid planthoppers (Hemiptera: Cixiidae) in the tribe Oecleini, containing at least 60 described species with a New World distribution. The genus was reinstated by Emeljanov in 1989 for New World species formerly placed in Myndus. Several species are economically significant as vectors of phytoplasmas causing lethal diseases in palms. Haplaxius crudus transmits Candidatus Phytoplasma palmae, the causal agent of lethal yellowing in coconut palms and lethal wilt in oil palms, causing substantial agricultural losses in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and the southern United States.
Haplaxius balli
Haplaxius balli is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Kramer in 1979. It belongs to the tribe Oecleini within the subfamily Cixiinae. The species is known from Arizona, USA, based on distribution records. Like other cixiid planthoppers, it is a member of the infraorder Fulgoromorpha, characterized by their distinctive head morphology and wing venation patterns.
Haplaxius beameri
Haplaxius beameri is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Ball in 1933. It belongs to the tribe Oecleini within the subfamily Cixiinae. Distribution records indicate occurrence in Arizona.
Haplaxius catalinus
Haplaxius catalinus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Ball in 1933. It belongs to the tribe Oecleini, a group of cixiids characterized by particular wing venation and genitalia structures. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States. Cixiidae planthoppers are generally small, cryptic insects with reduced wings in many species, though specific details for H. catalinus remain limited in published literature.
Haplaxius crudus
American Palm Cixiid, palm leafhopper
Haplaxius crudus is a cixiid planthopper and the primary known vector of lethal yellowing phytoplasma, a devastating disease of palms. The species has a complex life cycle split between two distinct host groups: nymphs develop on grasses and sedges, while adults feed exclusively on palms. This host alternation makes management challenging, as nymphs and adults occupy different habitats. The species is economically significant across the Caribbean, Florida, and tropical America, where it has caused millions of palm deaths and substantial agricultural losses.
Haplaxius flocki
Haplaxius flocki is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Kramer in 1979. It belongs to the tribe Oecleini within the subfamily Cixiinae. As a member of the Fulgoromorpha, it shares characteristics with other cixiid planthoppers, though specific details about its biology remain limited in available literature. The species is known from the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico.
Haplaxius fulvus
Haplaxius fulvus is a planthopper species in the family Cixiidae, first described by Osborn in 1903. It belongs to the tribe Oecleini within the subfamily Cixiinae. The species has been recorded from multiple states in the eastern and central United States. Like other cixiid planthoppers, it is likely associated with host plants where nymphs develop underground feeding on roots.
Haplaxius glyphis
Haplaxius glyphis is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Kramer in 1979. It belongs to a genus of small, inconspicuous insects that inhabit forested and vegetated environments. The species is recorded from northeastern North America, with documented occurrences in the United States and Canada.
Haplaxius impiger
Haplaxius impiger is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Ball in 1902. It belongs to the tribe Oecleini within the subfamily Cixiinae. Records indicate presence in Colorado and New Mexico, though specific ecological details remain limited in available sources.
Haplaxius lunatus
Haplaxius lunatus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1909 as Myndus lunatus. It belongs to the tribe Oecleini within the subfamily Cixiinae. The species is part of the diverse Hemipteran fauna of North America, with records from Florida. Like other cixiids, it is a small, delicate planthopper with reduced wings in some individuals.
Haplaxius nigrifrons
Haplaxius nigrifrons is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Ball in 1937. It belongs to the tribe Oecleini within the subfamily Cixiinae. The species is known from Texas based on distribution records. As with other cixiid planthoppers, it is likely associated with vascular plants, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Haplaxius ovatus
Haplaxius ovatus is a cixiid planthopper in the family Cixiidae, order Hemiptera. It has been documented in association with switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), a perennial grass native to North America. The species was described by Ball in 1933 and occurs in multiple U.S. states including Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, and Iowa, as well as Guizhou Province in China.
Haplaxius rubidus
Haplaxius rubidus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Ball in 1933. It belongs to the suborder Auchenorrhyncha within the order Hemiptera. The species has been documented in Texas. As a member of the Cixiidae family, it shares characteristics with other planthoppers that feed on plant vascular tissues using piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Haplaxius truncatus
Haplaxius truncatus is a planthopper species in the family Cixiidae, first described by Metcalf in 1923. It belongs to the tribe Oecleini within the subfamily Cixiinae. The species has been recorded in the north-central United States, specifically in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Like other cixiid planthoppers, it is likely associated with plant roots during its immature stages and feeds on plant sap as an adult.
Haplaxius wheeleri
Haplaxius wheeleri is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Wilson in 1996. It belongs to the tribe Oecleini within the subfamily Cixiinae. The species has been documented from the northeastern United States, specifically New Jersey and Pennsylvania. As a member of the Auchenorrhyncha, it is a phloem-feeding insect associated with vascular plants.
Haplaxius yuccandus
Haplaxius yuccandus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Ball in 1933. The species name suggests an association with yucca plants. It belongs to a genus of small, often cryptic planthoppers that inhabit arid and semi-arid regions of western North America. Like other Cixiidae, adults are capable of flight and nymphs are subterranean root-feeders.
Melanoliarus altanatus
Melanoliarus altanatus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Caldwell in 1951 as Sonorium altanatum and later transferred to the genus Melanoliarus. The species belongs to the tribe Pentastirini within the subfamily Cixiinae. Cixiid planthoppers are small to medium-sized insects characterized by their membranous wings and association with plant hosts, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Melanoliarus altanus
Melanoliarus altanus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, originally described by Ball in 1934. The genus Melanoliarus comprises small to medium-sized fulgoroid insects characterized by dark coloration. Taxonomic status varies between sources: Catalogue of Life lists it as a synonym of Oliarus altanus, while GBIF and iNaturalist recognize it as an accepted species. No observations have been recorded in iNaturalist, indicating limited documentation of its biology and distribution.
Melanoliarus bispinus
Melanoliarus bispinus is a planthopper species in the family Cixiidae, described by Caldwell in 1947. As a member of this family, it belongs to a group of sap-feeding insects commonly associated with plant roots and soil habitats. The specific epithet "bispinus" suggests a morphological feature involving two spines, though this requires verification from the original description.
Melanoliarus caldwelli
Melanoliarus caldwelli is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Mead and Kramer in 1982. Members of this genus are small, cryptically colored insects associated with plant roots. The species is native to the southeastern United States. Like other cixiids, adults are capable of jumping and weak flight.
Melanoliarus catus
Melanoliarus catus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Caldwell in 1947. It belongs to the tribe Pentastirini within the subfamily Cixiinae. The species was originally described as Oliarus catus before being transferred to the genus Melanoliarus. Like other cixiid planthoppers, it is likely associated with plant hosts, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Melanoliarus chuliotus
Melanoliarus chuliotus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Ball in 1934 under the genus Oliarus. The species was later transferred to Melanoliarus, a genus of small to medium-sized cixiid planthoppers distributed primarily in the Neotropical and Nearctic regions. Like other members of Cixiidae, it is presumed to have piercing-sucking mouthparts and a life cycle involving root-feeding nymphal stages. Published biological data for this specific species are extremely limited.
Melanoliarus coconinus
Melanoliarus coconinus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Ball in 1934. The genus Melanoliarus contains numerous species distributed across North America, many associated with arid and semi-arid regions. Like other cixiids, this species likely has a life cycle involving root-feeding nymphs and winged adults. Specific details about its biology remain poorly documented.
Melanoliarus difficilis
Melanoliarus difficilis is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1912. The genus Melanoliarus belongs to a group of planthoppers commonly associated with woody plants, though specific details about this species' biology remain poorly documented in the available literature. The species epithet 'difficilis' (Latin for 'difficult') may allude to identification challenges or rarity in collections.
Melanoliarus eximus
Melanoliarus eximus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, a group of small, often inconspicuous insects associated with plant roots. The species was described by Caldwell in 1947. Like other cixiids, it likely possesses membranous wings held roof-like over the body and a piercing-sucking mouthpart adapted for feeding on plant vascular fluids. Members of this genus are generally found in North America.
Melanoliarus forcipatus
Melanoliarus forcipatus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Caldwell in 1947. Species in this genus are small to medium-sized fulgoroid insects characterized by their brachypterous (short-winged) condition in females and macropterous (long-winged) condition in males. Cixiidae planthoppers are generally associated with woody or herbaceous host plants, with nymphs often feeding on roots. The specific epithet "forcipatus" refers to a forceps-like structure, likely describing a morphological feature of the male genitalia or other appendage.
Melanoliarus humilis
Melanoliarus humilis is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1830 under the basionym Flata humilis. As a member of the Hemiptera, it belongs to a diverse group of true bugs characterized by piercing-sucking mouthparts. The genus Melanoliarus contains multiple species of planthoppers distributed across North America. Specific ecological details for M. humilis remain limited in available literature.
Melanoliarus lobatus
Melanoliarus lobatus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Caldwell in 1938. The genus Melanoliarus belongs to the order Hemiptera, suborder Auchenorrhyncha, and is part of the diverse assemblage of cixiid planthoppers found in the New World. Species in this genus are generally small to medium-sized planthoppers with characteristic wing venation and body shape typical of the family.
Melanoliarus montanus
Melanoliarus montanus is a planthopper species in the family Cixiidae, described by Metcalf in 1923. Members of this genus are small, delicate insects commonly found in North America. Cixiid planthoppers are known for their association with host plants and their role as vectors of plant pathogens.
Melanoliarus pygmaeus
Melanoliarus pygmaeus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, described by Ball in 1937. The genus Melanoliarus belongs to the order Hemiptera, suborder Auchenorrhyncha, and infraorder Fulgoromorpha. Cixiidae planthoppers are typically small to medium-sized insects associated with woody vegetation. The specific epithet "pygmaeus" (meaning dwarf or pygmy) suggests this species is notably small even within its genus.
Melanoliarus sylvaticus
Melanoliarus sylvaticus is a species of planthopper in the family Cixiidae, originally described by Caldwell in 1947 as Sonorium sylvaticum. The species was later transferred to the genus Melanoliarus. It belongs to the tribe Pentastirini within the subfamily Cixiinae. As with other members of Cixiidae, it is a small, often inconspicuous planthopper with nymphs typically associated with plant roots.