Treehopper
Guides
Aconophora
Aconophora is a genus of treehoppers in the family Membracidae, tribe Aconophorini, characterized by a long, forward-projecting pronotal horn. The genus contains 13 described species distributed in the Neotropics. The most studied species, Aconophora compressa, was introduced to Australia in 1995 as a biological control agent for invasive lantana but was subsequently found to attack non-target plants, leading to its discontinued use. Members of this genus feed on plant stem sap and are not known to form mutualistic associations with ants, unlike the related genus Guayaquila.
Aconophora compressa
lantana bug, lantana treehopper, lantana stemsucking treehopper, lantana sap-sucking bug
Aconophora compressa is a treehopper (family Membracidae) native to Mexico, Central America, and Colombia. It was introduced to Australia in 1995 as a biological control agent for the invasive weed Lantana camara. The species is brown, up to 8 mm long, with a thorn-shaped body and produces copious honeydew. It has been documented to attack non-target plants, particularly fiddlewood (Citharexylum spinosum) in Australia, leading to its discontinuation as a biocontrol agent after 2001. It was also rejected for use in South Africa due to unacceptable risks to indigenous Lippia species.
treehopperbiological-controlinvasive-species-managementMembracidaephloem-feedermaternal-caregregarioushoneydew-producernon-target-effectsLantana-camaraMexicoAustraliaSouth-AfricaVerbenaceaeCitharexylum-spinosumLippiaAloysia-citrodorathermal-tolerancestem-suckingsap-feedingegg-guardinginstarsnymphal-developmentweed-biocontrolhost-range-expansionecological-risk-assessmentbiosecurityWalker-1851AconophoriniMembracinaeHemipteraAuchenorrhynchaCicadomorphaMembracoideaAconophorini
Aconophorini is a tribe of treehoppers within the subfamily Membracinae, family Membracidae, order Hemiptera. The tribe was established by Goding in 1892 and contains genera distributed in the Americas, including Mexico and Argentina. Members of this tribe possess the characteristic enlarged pronotum typical of Membracidae, though specific morphological features distinguishing Aconophorini from related tribes such as Hoplophorionini and Membracini are not detailed in available sources. The genus Aconophora is included in this tribe, with at least one species (Aconophora sp.) documented from Mexico.
Acutalini
Acutalini is a tribe of treehoppers in the family Membracidae, containing approximately 26 described species distributed from Canada to Brazil and Peru. Members are characterized by distinctive forewing venation including separate R, M, and Cu veins near the wing base, presence of R2+3 as a distinct branch, and R4+5 confluent with M distad of the M fork. Nymphs are cryptic, solitary, and not ant-attended, with unique morphological features including paired scoli on thoracic and abdominal segments. Adults are primarily Neotropical, with many species associated with forest canopy habitats.
Acutalis
Acutalis is a genus of treehoppers in the family Membracidae, subfamily Smiliinae, first described by Léon Fairmaire in 1846. The genus contains four species distributed across eastern North America and parts of Central and South America. Like other treehoppers, species in this genus possess an enlarged pronotum that extends over the body. Acutalis tartarea has been photographed in the field on goldenrod (Solidago sp.) in Missouri.
Acutalis tartarea
Acutalis tartarea is a North American treehopper species in the family Membracidae, subfamily Smiliinae. The species has been documented in macrophotography contexts, showing it perched on goldenrod (Solidago sp.). It is characterized by black coloration that presents particular challenges for flash photography techniques. The species is part of the diverse Membracidae family, which is known for its bizarre and varied pronotal modifications.
Aetalion
Aetalion is a genus of treehoppers (family Aetalionidae) comprising 25 described species. Members of this genus are distributed across the New World tropics and are characterized by their lack of the enlarged pronotal processes typical of the more diverse Membracidae. The genus includes economically significant species such as A. reticulatum, which has been documented as a pest of various agricultural and forest crops.
Aetalion nervosopunctatum
Aetalion nervosopunctatum is a treehopper species in the family Aetalionidae, representing one of the more primitive lineages within the superfamily Membracoidea. The species was described by Signoret in 1852 and is known from southern Mexico and the southwestern United States. As with other aetalionids, it lacks the dramatically expanded pronotum characteristic of most Membracidae, retaining a more generalized body form. Two subspecies have been recognized: the nominate form A. n. nervosopunctatum from Mexico and A. n. minor from Arizona.
Aetalionidae
Aetalionid Treehoppers
Aetalionidae is a family of treehoppers in the superfamily Membracoidea, distinguished from the more diverse Membracidae by morphological features including a front femur fused to the trochanter and a completely exposed scutellum. The family is predominantly Neotropical in distribution, with two recognized subfamilies: Biturritiinae (exclusively Neotropical) and Aetalioninae (containing the Neotropical genus Aetalion and the Paleotropical genus Darthula). Females exhibit maternal care by guarding egg masses, and many species form aggregations on tree branches where they produce honeydew and associate with ants and stingless bees.
Amastris
Amastris is a genus of treehoppers (family Membracidae) in the tribe Amastrini, established by Stål in 1862. Members of this genus are characterized by their distinctive pronotal expansions, a hallmark trait of treehoppers. The genus serves as the type genus for the tribe Amastrini. Species within Amastris are found primarily in the Neotropical region.
Amastris lycioda
A treehopper in the family Membracidae, first described by Ball in 1933. The species name 'lycioda' reflects its documented association with plants in the genus Lycium. The first Texas record was published in 2024, establishing a specific host plant relationship with Lycium berlandieri.
Amastris templa
Amastris templa is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, first described by Ball in 1933. It belongs to the tribe Amastrini within the subfamily Smiliinae. The species is currently accepted in taxonomic databases but remains poorly documented in published literature.
Anisostylus fulgidus
Anisostylus fulgidus is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, first described by Ball in 1937. The genus Anisostylus belongs to the tribe Ceresini within the subfamily Smiliinae. Treehoppers in this family are characterized by their enlarged pronotum, which often extends into elaborate structures. Very little specific information has been published about the biology or natural history of this particular species.
Anisostylus gillettei
Anisostylus gillettei is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, described by Goding in 1892. It belongs to the tribe Ceresini within the subfamily Smiliinae. The species is documented from western North America, with records from California, Colorado, and Utah. Like other membracids, it is presumed to feed on plant phloem sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Anisostylus stylatus
Anisostylus stylatus is a species of treehopper in the family Membracidae, described by Caldwell in 1949. It belongs to the tribe Ceresini within the subfamily Smiliinae. The species has been documented in the western United States, specifically in Idaho and Utah. Like other members of the genus Anisostylus, it possesses a pronotum modified into a distinctive dorsal structure characteristic of treehoppers.
Aphetea
Aphetea is a genus of treehoppers in the family Membracidae, containing seven described species. One species, Aphetea bicolor, has five recognized subspecies. The genus was established by Fowler in 1895 and is classified within the tribe Polyglyptini of the subfamily Smiliinae. Species are distributed across the Neotropical region.
Archasia auriculata
Archasia auriculata is a species of treehopper in the family Membracidae, characterized by an elaborate pronotal extension that resembles a leaf or plant part. The species was described by Fitch in 1851 and belongs to the tribe Telamonini within the subfamily Smiliinae. Treehoppers in this genus are known for their highly modified pronota that serve as camouflage and protection.
Ashmeadea
Ashmeadea is a genus of treehoppers in the family Membracidae, tribe Smiliini. The genus was established by Goding in 1892. As a member of the Smiliinae subfamily, species in this genus possess the enlarged pronotum characteristic of treehoppers, which often extends into distinctive projections. The genus contains relatively few described species and is poorly documented in published literature.
Atymna
Atymna is a genus of treehoppers in the family Membracidae, first described by Stål in 1867. The genus comprises at least ten recognized species distributed primarily in North America. Members of this genus are characterized by their enlarged pronotum, a defining feature of treehoppers that extends over the body. Several species have been documented feeding on oaks and other woody plants.
Atymna castaneae
Atymna castaneae is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, first described by Asa Fitch in 1851. It is a specialist herbivore restricted to chestnut trees (Castanea spp.), feeding on both the American chestnut (C. dentata) and Allegheny chinquapin (C. pumila). The species epithet directly reflects this host association. Its historical distribution across eastern North America has been impacted by the decline of its primary host due to chestnut blight.
Atymna helena
Atymna helena is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, described by Woodruff in 1915. It occurs in the north-central United States and southern Canada, with records from Connecticut, Indiana, Iowa, Manitoba, Minnesota, and Nebraska. As a member of the Smiliini tribe, it belongs to a diverse group of sap-feeding insects characterized by their enlarged pronota.
Atymna inornata
Atymna inornata is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, subfamily Smiliinae. First described by Thomas Say in 1831, this species is characterized by its relatively unadorned pronotum compared to other members of the genus. Treehoppers in this group are known for their highly modified pronota that often extend into elaborate structures, though A. inornata exhibits a more subdued morphology consistent with its specific epithet.
Atymna querci
Atymna querci is a species of treehopper in the family Membracidae. The species name "querci" refers to its association with oak trees (Quercus). Treehoppers in this family are known for their enlarged pronotum that extends over the body, often forming elaborate structures. This species has been documented across the eastern and midwestern United States.
Atymna reticulata
Atymna reticulata is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, described by Ball in 1937. The specific epithet 'reticulata' suggests a net-like or reticulated pattern, likely referring to body surface sculpturing. Distribution records indicate presence in Arizona. As a member of Smiliini, it belongs to a diverse tribe of treehoppers primarily associated with woody host plants.
Atymna simplex
Atymna simplex is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1908. It belongs to the subfamily Smiliinae and tribe Smiliini. The species has been recorded in Arizona and Texas, with limited observational data available.
Bajulata
Bajulata is a monotypic genus of treehoppers in the family Membracidae, subfamily Smiliinae, and tribe Amastrini. It contains a single species, Bajulata bajula, described by Ball in 1933. As a treehopper, it belongs to the diverse group of true bugs known for their enlarged and often elaborate pronotal structures. The genus is rarely documented, with minimal observational records available.
Bajulata bajula
Bajulata bajula is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, described by Goding in 1893. It belongs to the tribe Amastrini within the subfamily Smiliinae. The genus Bajulata is monotypic, containing only this species. Records indicate it occurs in Arizona.
Bolbonota
seed-mimic treehopper
Bolbonota is a genus of treehoppers in the family Membracidae, tribe Membracini, distributed in the New World tropics and subtropics. Adults are characterized by their dark, globular body form with a corrugated pronotal surface and distinctive red eyes. The genus contains at least a dozen described species in Brazil alone, with many more likely awaiting description. Bolbonota species exhibit complex ontogenetic color changes: early instar nymphs are dark, late instars become mottled or streaked white, and adults revert to dark coloration.
Bolbonota tuberculata
Bolbonota tuberculata is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, characterized by its globular, tuberculate body form and dark coloration. The species belongs to the New World tribe Membracini and exhibits the pronotal modifications typical of this group—an enlarged, helmet-like structure that extends over the body. Like other members of the genus Bolbonota, adults have been observed with distinctive red eyes. The species occurs in the Neotropical region, with records from French Guiana and Brazil.
Bryantopsis
Bryantopsis is a genus of treehoppers (family Membracidae) in the subfamily Smiliinae. It contains a single described species, Bryantopsis ensigera, with two subspecies: B. e. ensigera and B. e. humerosa. The genus was established by Ball in 1937 and is restricted to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Carynota
Carynota is a genus of treehoppers in the family Membracidae, subfamily Smiliinae, established by Fitch in 1851. The genus contains four described species: C. maculata, C. marmorata, C. mera, and C. stupida. Treehoppers in this genus exhibit the enlarged pronotum characteristic of Membracidae, which extends over the body like a thorn or helmet.
Carynota marmorata
marbled treehopper
Carynota marmorata, commonly known as the marbled treehopper, is a Nearctic treehopper species first described by Thomas Say in 1830. It is characterized by a moderately elevated, rounded pronotum with distinctive mottled coloration. The species feeds on multiple tree genera including alder, birch, hazelnut, cottonwood, and oak. It occurs in the midwestern and eastern United States and eastern Canada.
Carynota mera
Carynota mera is a species of treehopper in the family Membracidae, first described by Thomas Say in 1830 as Membracis mera. It is distinguished from other members of the tribe Telamonini by its rounded pronotum. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in size, with females being larger than males. It is distributed across the eastern United States and eastern Canada.
Centrodontini
Centrodontini is a tribe of treehoppers within the subfamily Centrotinae, family Membracidae, established by Deitz in 1975. Members of this tribe are characterized by distinctive pronotal morphology and are part of the diverse membracid fauna. The tribe contains multiple genera distributed primarily in the Old World tropics. Treehoppers in this group are associated with woody host plants and exhibit the enlarged pronotum typical of the family.
Centrodontus
Centrodontus is a genus of treehoppers in the family Membracidae, tribe Centrodontini, established by Goding in 1892. Members of this genus possess the enlarged pronotum characteristic of treehoppers, which extends backward over the thorax and often develops into distinctive projections. The genus is part of the diverse New World treehopper fauna, with species distributed primarily in the Americas. Centrodontus species, like other membracids, feed on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Centrodontus atlas
Centrodontus atlas is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, described by Goding in 1892. The species belongs to the tribe Centrodontini within the subfamily Centrotinae. As a member of the treehopper family, it is characterized by an enlarged pronotum that extends over the body. Available distributional data comes primarily from observation records rather than comprehensive systematic surveys.
Centrodontus atlas reticulatus
Centrodontus atlas reticulatus is a subspecies of treehopper in the family Membracidae, first described by Cook in 1952. As a member of the subfamily Centrotinae, it possesses the distinctive pronotal extensions characteristic of this group. The species Centrodontus atlas occurs within the Nearctic region, and this subspecies represents a geographically or morphologically distinct population. Treehoppers in this genus are typically associated with woody host plants.
Centrotus cornutus
Horned Treehopper, Thorn-hopper
Centrotus cornutus, commonly known as the Horned Treehopper or Thorn-hopper, is a distinctive treehopper species in the family Membracidae. Adults are recognized by their pronounced pronotal extensions that form horn-like projections, which function in camouflage by resembling thorns or plant parts. The species has a two-year life cycle and overwinters as larvae in leaf litter. It is one of only two treehopper species recorded in the United Kingdom.
Cyrtolobus
Cyrtolobus is a genus of treehoppers (family Membracidae) comprising more than 50 described species distributed across North and Central America. Like other members of the tribe Smiliini, species in this genus possess enlarged and often elaborately shaped pronota that extend backward over the body. The genus was established by Goding in 1892 and remains taxonomically active, with species identification relying primarily on pronotal morphology.
Cyrtolobus
Cyrtolobus n-sp-fl is an undescribed species of treehopper in the tribe Smiliini, collected from Florida. The genus Cyrtolobus is part of the diverse Nearctic fauna of treehoppers, characterized by pronounced pronotal modifications. Like other members of Membracidae, this species possesses the enlarged and often elaborately shaped pronotum that extends over the thorax. The specific epithet 'n-sp-fl' indicates it is a new species from Florida awaiting formal description.
Cyrtolobus acuminatus
Cyrtolobus acuminatus is a species of treehopper in the family Membracidae, first described by L. B. Woodruff in 1924. It belongs to the tribe Smiliini, a group characterized by pronounced pronotal modifications. The species is known from the midwestern United States with records extending into the northeastern region.
Cyrtolobus acutus
Cyrtolobus acutus is a Nearctic treehopper species in the tribe Smiliini, first described from the southwestern United States in 1908. The genus Cyrtolobus comprises approximately 15 species distributed primarily in eastern and southwestern North America, characterized by their distinctive pronotal morphology. This species represents one of the less commonly encountered members of the genus, with specimen records indicating sporadic occurrence across arid and semi-arid regions.
Cyrtolobus coronatus
Cyrtolobus coronatus is a species of treehopper in the family Membracidae, described by Ball in 1932. Treehoppers in this genus are characterized by their enlarged, often elaborately shaped pronotum. The species belongs to the tribe Smiliini, which is primarily distributed in the Nearctic region.
Cyrtolobus discoidalis
Cyrtolobus discoidalis is a Nearctic treehopper species in the family Membracidae, tribe Smiliini. Like other members of its genus, it possesses an expanded pronotum characteristic of treehoppers. The species has been documented in the eastern United States.
Cyrtolobus flavolatus
Cyrtolobus flavolatus is a species of treehopper in the family Membracidae, described by Woodruff in 1924. As a member of the tribe Smiliini, it possesses the enlarged, often elaborately modified pronotum characteristic of this family. The species occurs in eastern North America, with records from New York, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.
Cyrtolobus frigidus
Cyrtolobus frigidus is a species of treehopper in the family Membracidae, tribe Smiliini. It is known from the southwestern United States, specifically Utah and Arizona. Like other members of its genus, it possesses the enlarged, often elaborately shaped pronotum characteristic of treehoppers. The specific epithet 'frigidus' may refer to habitat associations with cooler or higher elevation environments, though this has not been explicitly documented.
Cyrtolobus gloveri
Cyrtolobus gloveri is a Nearctic treehopper species in the family Membracidae, described by Goding in 1893. It belongs to the tribe Smiliini, a group of treehoppers characterized by pronotal modifications and primarily distributed in eastern and central North America. The species is part of the genus Cyrtolobus, which contains approximately 15 described species in the United States and Canada.
Cyrtolobus limus
Cyrtolobus limus is a North American treehopper species in the family Membracidae, described by Van Duzee in 1908. It belongs to the tribe Smiliini, a predominantly Nearctic group characterized by distinctive pronotal modifications. The species occurs in western and midwestern United States, with records from California, Colorado, and Ohio. Like other Cyrtolobus species, it possesses an expanded pronotum that extends over the thorax, though specific morphological details distinguishing it from congeners are not well documented in available sources.
Cyrtolobus maculifrontis
Cyrtolobus maculifrontis is a North American treehopper species in the family Membracidae, first described by Ebenezer Emmons in 1854. The species name refers to the distinctive black spots on its forehead. Like other members of the genus Cyrtolobus, it possesses a pronounced pronotum, a characteristic feature of treehoppers that may serve multiple functions including camouflage and chemical communication. It occurs in the central and eastern United States and southern Canada.
Cyrtolobus oblongatus
Cyrtolobus oblongatus is a species of treehopper in the family Membracidae, described by Ball in 1932. It belongs to the genus Cyrtolobus, a group characterized by their enlarged and often elaborately shaped pronotum that extends over the body. The species is known from Arizona based on collection records.