Platoon --- of Treehoppers !

Greetings,

Very nice! I've also always had a soft spot for these little guys - the diversity is pretty impressive. I especially like the genus Telamona - lots of variation on a theme. While I always collected them, I never really tried to ID them to species, so now there's a bunch of specimens awaiting determination in the collection at work (CMNH). Odd that there doesn't seem to be many experts out there working on them, or maybe I just haven't crossed paths with them so far.

I've noticed that Lindgren funnel traps catch these in good numbers - especially if EtOH and hexanol lures are used. I've seen as many as 30 specimens, representing a dozen species, in a single sample. And some of the Cyrtolobus occasionally come to lights in enormous numbers, especially in oak forests.

Thanks again for the pic!
Bandrow

Post more hopper photos please. Love the shapes!

My first genus of treehoppers for discussion are a group
most often encountered by people.

Genus: Stictocephala (Buffalo Treehoppers)

Many buffalo treehoppers are of a bright green color
and they tend to have a somewhat triangular shape which
helps to camouflage them amongst foliage.

They get their common name from their vague resemblance
(in profile) to that of the American bison.

*A tremendous "head and shoulders" basically followed by the
rest of the body....

Here is an artistic rendering by James Gordon Irving:



These fellows usually fall in the size range of between 6-9mm long.

There are about 16 species found in fields, savannas, and prairies -- rather
then woodlands in North America. Some of their favorite food sources include:
black locust, clover, elm, goldenrod and willow.

On occasion, one species (in particular) which is commonly known
as THE buffalo treehopper (Stictocephala bisonia) (Kopp & Yonke, 1977)
is considered an occasional pest upon fruit trees -- especially young 
apple trees.

This genus, along with the rest of the tribe (Ceresini) is at present
something of a taxonomic mess and certainly some species have been
synonymized. In fact, the genus name has even changed from it former
name of (Ceresa).

Some buffalo treehoppers are stand-out species whilst others -- not so much.
More work is needed here with these...

Below, I show a head-on view of the Buffalo Treehopper (Stictocephala bisonia).



As you can see the (metopidium) or "area above the eyes and up to the apex
of the head" is large with a (suprahumeral horn) projecting outward at the sides
and ending in a sharp point.

Below, I offer a rearward (angled) view showing how the (dorsal crest) of this 
species extends  beyond the apex of the head and "arching" above and well beyond
the insects thorax -- ending in a narrow sharp spine between the wings.



If you look closely, you can see the fine "whisker" of an antennae
which treehoppers all have (located just below the compound eye).

*I removed the labels from this specimen for a clearer better shot
but, realized they really were of no bother to the photo so future
specimen pic's will show the labels !


Another very distinctive looking member of this genus with prominent
pubescence (hair) on the front of the pronotum is the Two-horned
treehopper (Stictocephala diceros) (Say, 1824) pictured below....



This species occurs throughout temperate eastern North America;
including Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico. It is around 8-9mm long.
This species is very fond of elderberry bushes (in particular) but, may
be encountered on black locust, sycamore, american elm, sweet clover,
bull thistle, and sunflower -- just to name a few !



*The labels you see here were originally my 2nd attempt at
acquiring a more professional look (in my Membracid collection)
as opposed to my "original" typewriter labels; which I laboriously
typed and cut out. These were done at a print shop and still
required being cut apart but, were very much smaller !
No computer or printer back in these days...

**I think it was more work individually cutting out all the labels
for each specimen and then "spacing" them; than it was merely
"pointing" the specimen on a paper point.

Finally, for tonight I will tackle a brief discussion
on yet another most curious looking genus of treehoppers
mentioned by forum member bandrow:

Genus: Telamona (Hump-backed Treehoppers)

These fellows are quite varied in general markings, height
of the dorsal crest, and "shape" of the dorsal crest as well.
There are between 26-30 described species known from
North America at least. Of that number 12 spp. range into
Canada.

Below, is one of the larger species I've collected (11mm.) for which
I have no species determination.

Telamona sp.



These treehoppers are of the forest-dwelling kind. They love the shade
of a good hardwood tree. Some species may be found on several types
of tree whilst, others are much more host specific.

Various oak (species), hickory (species), black walnut, sycamore, sweetgum,
american chestnut, etc. -- all serve as excellent abodes where Telamona
thrive and survive !

Looking a lot like twiggy protuberances, bumps, knots, and bit's of
gnarled bark these idyllic woodsman blend-in; in plain view....
Their oftentimes brown coloration only enhances their cryptic
appearance.

I have to say when one is on the "hunt" for treehoppers Telamona
are especially challenging ! Usually, they only appear as singular
individuals but, sometimes two. And they almost seem to have a "sense"
that they have been spotted as they will "walk around to the other side
of a twig" to be out of your sight. Or they simply take flight.

I have had a long-running "passion" for this genus so I never pass-up a
specimen when the chance to catch one comes about.