Neotropical-diversity-center
Guides
Membracoidea
Leafhoppers and Treehoppers
Membracoidea is a superfamily of sap-sucking true bugs (Hemiptera) comprising approximately 25,000 described species across several families. The group is dominated by two large families: Cicadellidae (leafhoppers) and Membracidae (treehoppers), with additional smaller families including Aetalionidae, Melizoderidae, and the relictual Myerslopiidae. Members share distinctive anatomical features including an incomplete tentorium, enlarged midcoxae, and rows of setae on the mid and hind tibiae. The superfamily exhibits its greatest diversity in the Neotropics, suggesting a New World origin.