Family Membracidae - Treehoppers

Thorn Bugs

mem-BRAY-ci-dee

from Greek membrax (μεμβραξ) 'a kind of cicada'(1)

266 spp. in ~60 genera in our area(2), ~3,500 spp. in ~430 genera worldwide, arranged in 9 subfamilies and dozens of tribes(3)(4)

Overview of our fauna* –taxa not yet in the guide; questionable records omitted

Family MEMBRACIDAE

Subfamily CENTROTINAE

Subfamily DARNINAE

Subfamily STEGASPIDINAE

Subfamily MEMBRACINAE

Subfamily SMILIINAE

genera not yet in the guide:

questionable records: Bolbonota Amyot & Serville 1843 [1 sp., ?FL], Notocera Amyot & Serville 1843 [1 sp., ?CO], Trachytalis Fowler 1895 [1 sp., ?CA])

2-20 mm (mostly under 12 mm)(10)

differ from related families in having a large pronotum that extends back over the abdomen and (often) covers the head; many species appear humpbacked or thorn-like; others have spines, horns or keels

Most spp. are host-specific and feed on trees and shrubs, some on herbaceous plants

Eggs overwinter and hatch in the spring. Nymphs drop to the ground. They return to trees to lay eggs. Most species are solitary, but many occur in groups or clusters and exhibit presocial behavior--adults often stay near nymphs, tending them. Many have mutualistic relationships with ants--the ants fend off predators and/or parasites and collect sugary fluid secreted by the hoppers.

Only a few species are considered pests; most of the damage is caused by egg-laying