Membracidae
Guides
Trichaetipyga
Trichaetipyga is a genus of treehoppers in the family Membracidae, subfamily Smiliinae, and tribe Ceresini. The genus was established by Caldwell in 1949. It is placed within the diverse Membracidae family, which is characterized by enlarged pronota that often form elaborate projections. As a genus-level taxon, it serves as a grouping for species sharing derived morphological features, though detailed biological information remains limited.
Trichaetipyga juniperina
A small treehopper species in the family Membracidae, described by Ball in 1937. The genus Trichaetipyga is characterized by distinctive pronotal projections. As a member of the tribe Ceresini, it belongs to a group of treehoppers often associated with woody host plants. The specific epithet "juniperina" suggests a historical association with juniper, though this requires verification.
Tumecauda schaefferi
Tumecauda schaefferi is a species of treehopper in the family Membracidae, subfamily Stegaspidinae. It was described by Goding in 1930. The genus Tumecauda is characterized by a pronounced caudal (tail-like) projection extending from the dorsal surface of the pronotum, a distinctive feature among treehoppers. Very little is known about the biology or ecology of this species, which appears to be rarely encountered and poorly documented in the scientific literature.
Tylocentrus quadricornis
Tylocentrus quadricornis is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, subfamily Centrotinae, described by Funkhouser in 1919. It belongs to the tribe Platycentrini, characterized by exposed scutella and relatively unmodified pronota compared to other membracid subfamilies. The species is distributed across the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Like other members of its genus, it exhibits the primitive centrotine body plan with reduced pronotal ornamentation.
Tylopelta gibbera
Tylopelta gibbera is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, characterized by its use of vibrational communication during mating displays. Males produce substrate-borne signals transmitted through host plant stems to locate receptive females, with documented cases of vibrational masking when multiple males compete. The species maintains mutualistic relationships with ants, which defend nymphs in exchange for honeydew.
Vanduzea
Vanduzea is a genus of treehoppers (family Membracidae) comprising approximately 12 described species. The genus was named in honor of American entomologist Edward Payson Van Duzee. Species within this genus are associated with various host plants, with documented associations including Robinia (Fabaceae), Amorpha canescens, and Grindelia ciliata. Some species exhibit ant-tended behavior and utilize abandoned cavities of wood-boring insects.
Vanduzea albifrons
Vanduzea albifrons is a species of treehopper described by Fowler in 1895. It belongs to the family Membracidae, a group of insects known for their highly modified pronotum that often extends into elaborate projections. The species has been documented in North and Central America, with distribution records from California, Baja California, and Bocas del Toro. Like other treehoppers, it is presumed to feed on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts, though specific host plant associations have not been documented in the available sources.
Vanduzea arquata
black locust treehopper
Vanduzea arquata, commonly known as the black locust treehopper, is a North American treehopper species in the family Membracidae. It is strongly associated with black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) and related Robinia species, with females laying eggs in tree buds. Nymphs have been documented using abandoned cavities of the locust twig borer. The species is attended by ants, including Formica subsericea, which tend the treehoppers for honeydew.
Vanduzea laeta
Vanduzea laeta is a small treehopper species in the family Membracidae, described by Frederic Webster Goding in 1893. Adults are active primarily from May through August. The species is recognized as a pest of common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and other Helianthus species, feeding on plant sap. It is frequently confused with the related species V. segmentata.
Vanduzea nolina
Vanduzea nolina is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, described by Ball in 1932. The genus Vanduzea is characterized by species that are obligately associated with specific host plants, with adults and nymphs typically found on stems and in leaf axils. This species is named after its host plant genus Nolina (beargrass), indicating a specialized plant-insect relationship. Like other members of the tribe Amastrini, V. nolina likely exhibits ant-tended behavior, where honeydew-producing nymphs are protected by ants in exchange for nutritional rewards.
Vestistilus ancora
Vestistilus ancora is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, first described by Ball in 1937. It belongs to the tribe Ceresini within the subfamily Smiliinae. The genus Vestistilus contains species characterized by distinctive pronotal modifications. Observations of this species remain limited, with most records originating from Arizona.
Vestistilus patruelis
Vestistilus patruelis is a species of treehopper in the family Membracidae, first described by Carl Stål in 1864. The species belongs to the tribe Ceresini within the subfamily Smiliinae, a group characterized by often elaborate pronotal modifications. Treehoppers in this family are known for their diverse and frequently ornate pronotal structures that extend over the body. As a member of the Membracidae, V. patruelis is presumed to be a phloem-feeding insect utilizing plant vascular tissues.
Xantholobus
Xantholobus is a genus of treehoppers in the family Membracidae, established by Van Duzee in 1908. The genus belongs to the tribe Smiliini within the subfamily Smiliinae and contains approximately 14 described species. Like other treehoppers, members of this genus possess an enlarged and often elaborately modified pronotum that extends over the thorax, a defining characteristic of the family Membracidae. Species in this genus are found in the Nearctic region, with records from the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Xantholobus arizonensis
Xantholobus arizonensis is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, first described by Funkhouser in 1943. The genus Xantholobus belongs to the tribe Smiliini within the subfamily Smiliinae. As with other treehoppers, this species possesses an enlarged and often elaborately modified pronotum that extends over the thorax. Very little specific information is documented about this particular species beyond its taxonomic description and geographic association with Arizona.
Xantholobus coconinus
Xantholobus coconinus is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, described by Ball in 1932. It belongs to the tribe Smiliini within the subfamily Smiliinae, a group characterized by diverse pronotal modifications. The genus Xantholobus occurs in North America, with this species recorded from Arizona. Like other membracids, it possesses an enlarged pronotum that extends over the thorax and often exhibits plant-mimicking or other specialized morphological forms.
Xantholobus hirsutus
Xantholobus hirsutus is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, described by Ball in 1932. Like other members of the tribe Smiliini, it possesses an enlarged and often elaborately modified pronotum that extends over the body. The genus Xantholobus is part of the diverse New World treehopper fauna, with this species known from the southwestern United States. Treehoppers in this group are characterized by their distinctive pronotal shapes and association with woody host plants.
Xantholobus intermedius
Xantholobus intermedius is a species of treehopper in the family Membracidae, subfamily Smiliinae. The species was described by Emmons in 1855 and is currently accepted as valid. Like other members of the genus Xantholobus, this species possesses the characteristic enlarged pronotum that extends posteriorly over the abdomen, a defining feature of treehoppers. The genus Xantholobus is classified within the tribe Smiliini, which comprises numerous genera of primarily Nearctic treehoppers.
Xantholobus nigrocinctus
A Nearctic treehopper species in the tribe Smiliini, characterized by its distinctive pronotal morphology. The species epithet "nigrocinctus" (Latin for "black-banded") refers to color pattern features. Like other members of the genus Xantholobus, it possesses the enlarged, often elaborately shaped pronotum typical of Membracidae. The species was described by Van Duzee in 1908 and is part of the diverse Smiliinae radiation in North America.