Treehoppers: strange creatures of forest and field

[Trehopr1]

Treehoppers of the family (Membracidae) are truly the most eccentric
appearing of insects. Though, small in stature their bewildering looks
and incredible diversity have long attracted attention to their uniqueness.


Gigantorhabdus enderleini (Malaysia)

Treehoppers make up a group of more than 3500 descibed species of
plant-feeding insects.There are actually 3 treehopper families, with
Membracidae (by far the most diverse) at 428 genera with more than
3450 species. This is followed by the Aetalionidae with 6 genera/42 sp.,
and finally the Melizoderidae at 2 genera/8 species.


Oeda hamulata (Ecuador)

Naturally, it is in the world's tropical rainforests that treehoppers have
reached their greatest diversity and most "riotous" forms. Most people
(even entomologists) often take little notice of their presence as they
are generally small and are usually seen as singular individuals.

While many of the exotics are indeed strange looking -- even ALIEN
in appearance; there are also a great many that just blend-in --- in plain
sight. Many have evolved to look like twiggy protuberances, bumps, knots,
and bit's of gnarled wood. Others, have taken on the color of varying
shades of green plant life in camoflage. Still, some have evolved into
"thorn-like" shapes to also blend and yet protect themselves to a measure.


Umbonia crassicornis (Florida)(female)

My fascination and specialised interest in treehoppers formatively began
at the age of 18. I happened upon a young white-oak tree at the edge
of a wood (next to a field) which I was netting butterflies in. Standing
in its shade I noticed a treehopper sitting on a leaf. Catching it in a bottle
made me look more closely for others and I was forever captivated !!

More pictures and tales of treehoppers to come....

[boghaunter1]

Fantastic!! Please keep the pics/explanations coming as time allows. Great pics also for such tiny, weird shaped subjects. Really enjoy seeing obscure insect families apart from countless leps!

John K.

[Trehopr1]

Collecting treehoppers has its own unique set of challenges.
First of all, it takes a keen eye for minute details to spot
many of them. It is most often hot/humid out when you do
go and any wind moving tree branches can make looking for
forest species an exercise in frustration. Yes, some species
may be picked up bruch sweeping however, the far greater
diversity of them is in the trees.

Some species are rather host specific whilst some types of
trees seem to be magnets (of a kind) for a host of species.
Yet still, ones best luck (for woodland species) lies in young
trees with branches still within ones reach. Once the branches
begin reaching skyward; treehoppers become "canopy" dwellers.

My own collecting efforts have often swayed between boon--bust.
Sometimes, I just can't seem to spot any; and yet times when I
have "hit the jackpot" on one particular tree I am reminded of the
wonderful possibilities.

The unit tray below reflects just one (said) outing of adventure.
I spent over two hours "curry-combing" a young white-oak just
capturing these 40 specimens.



Although, many of the specimens represent mostly one species
(seen in the foreground) Smilia camelus (Fabricius 1803) (9mm);
there are another 5 species present which were collected as well
on the same host tree.

In fact, below I show representatives of all 6 species/40 specimens.
The top row shows 4 genera that were picked up whilst the bottom
two represent singular examples (collected) of differing species.


Left to Right: genus Smilia, Cyrtolobus, Ophiderma, and Entylia
Bottom: Cyrtolobus (diffrent sp.) and Ophiderma (diffrent sp.)

Early on, in my treehopper hunting "escapades" I quickly learned
that merely shaking a tree branch into one's net was met with
fairly miserable failure ! Membracids are surprisingly adept fliers
despite their cumbersome looking ornamentation. I had more get
away from me than actually ever wound up in the net.

So, the matter of capture required some innovative new approach
if I was to have much success in the blistering heat/humidity. Believe
me -- you will "sweat bullets" trying to capture these fellows !

Ultimately, rather than capture specimens using standard specimen
jars (of varying sizes) I purchased a couple dozen 8-dram vials. The
openings were just big enough to accept all but, the largest of the
(Telamona) species. As such, I had to singularly collect each individual
with stealth but, my success rate jumped enormously.

I would carry along a couple "dump jars" in case I might have a
particularly good afternoon out.

Below, is another view of that same unit tray (from above) showing
that I (point) all of my little captures; rather than attempt thrusting
a pin through them. In this way, they can be examined much more
clearly (I believe) and more importantly the ventral portion of each
specimen has an un-obstructed view. One also does not lose legs
(punched out by pins) and specimens are level/straight whereas pins
can go thru at bad angles !



Of curious note is that when you try capturing hoppers using vials or
jars they seem to "sense" they have been spotted as they will "walk
around to the other side of the twig" to be out of your sight. A little
to much coaxing and they're outta there !

As you can see I have much to still make labels for.....

[Trehopr1]

Treehoppers have fascinating features from any angle !
Sometimes, a frontal view conveys or accentuates a
species odd form.

Here we have a Buffalo Treehopper (Stictocephala bisonia).



In other instances, a somewhat angled view showing this
"helmeted" (Darth Vader) appearing Archasia belfragei
best conveys its unique form.

[Paul K]

Do they retain natural colours or fade brown like some insects do ?

[Trehopr1]

Well Paul, by far the (overall) green species are the worst for
loss of natural coloration. Most often they either turn brownish
or marginally maintain their green color.

Some of the exotic foliate species with yellow bands or markings
also lose the "vibrancy" of their yellows and reds but, you can
still clearly tell the faded (yet still present) colors.

Species of the brown, grey, or black colorations are unaffected.

[Trehopr1]

Here I offer another assortment of the many shapes
and sizes which treehoppers have evolved and proliferated.


Genus: Glossonotus (Illinois/White Oak)


Telamona decorata (Illinois/White Oak)


Genus of uncertainty.... (Columbia)


Genus of uncertainty.... (Columbia)


Genus of uncertainty.... (Columbia)


Genus: Membracis (Venezuela/1700m)

*More wonders to come...

[Chuck]

Love the treehopper photos, keep them coming.

[Trehopr1]

Over the last month I spent a little time (here and there)
"pointing-up" some of my cache of treehopper collecting.
The method of "pointing" tiny creatures onto paper-pointed
triangles is tedious, delicate, and above all time consuming !

It was actually far easier collecting the material than it is
preparing it up for a "someday" researcher to view. When I
had a (good) day out finding my beloved treehoppers I might
capture upwards of 30+ individuals. However, most outing
would only yield half that number or less depending on the
tree or plant species being investigated.

I use two types of paper point: one for my larger species like
Telemona, Archasia, and Glossonotus etc. while a smaller one
is used for smaller species such as Entylia, Publilia, and Ophiderma
etc... I am very fastidious about their appearance and presentation.



My interest in these curious little fellows was really "sparked"
in early June of 1979 when I accidentally stood under a young
white oak tree whilst seeking a shady spot alongside a clover
laden field --- searching for butterflies.

I had one of these "hop" onto my shirt while another landed on
my pants. I captured each and BOTH were distinctly diffrent
and quite "nifty" in their curious appearance. I was seriously
intrigued by this so any trips afield meant periodically checking
diffrent trees/vegetation for the presence of treehoppers.

Some "hits" and a lot of misses but, it has been a fulfilling quest
to find as many diffrent ones as I could --- over the years. I think
I can truthfully say that most entomology enthusiasts tend to
overlook the significantly (smaller) creatures which abound in our
world --- in all sorts of habitats and situations. A few of us however,
take a more focused look at the "little things underfoot or out of
obvious view".

In the photograph, each unit tray houses a specific collecting date
along with location etc. where each little group of hoppers were found.
Now, that these treehoppers are pointed I have yet to make small
individual labels for each specimen. Still, another task at hand in
the process of preparing small research specimens.

But, at least for now they are pointed, sub-divided by their little
(capture) groups, and are only in need of final permanent data labels.

[Chuck]

Like that bottom right species.

When I have a bunch of specimens from the same place, particularly if the same taxon, I make the labels with Excel, and print off the labels on acid free card stock. Easy! It's the one-offs that get hand written, and that stinks.

[Trehopr1]

Thank you indeed Chuck for the suggestion on label making. We'll see how they look using Excel and I will run with it if it does the trick.

Of course these labels will be small and so will the font however, I want it large enough to be reasonably legible with the naked eye.

If I get it worked out I will post it so you can see the results....

[Trehopr1]

Hello again Chuck,

In the bottom right hand corner unit tray there are actually 3 different species of "Thorn-mimic" treehoppers !

The obvious large one is Thelia bimaculata. There are presently only two species in that genus in North America. T. bimaculata is the most common occurring of the two. Males are largely black with a bright yellow patch on each side of the pronotum. Females are slightly larger but, are entirely brown in color. You will see some of those in the unit tray just above the one you pointed out.

Additionally, in the unit tray there is a "smaller brown one" above and to the right (with a red dot) on the pinhead.
This is Campylenchia latipes. This is a species of grasses and assorted low vegetation and most often it is only picked up by brush sweeping a field.

I found it out of place and quite odd on a locust tree. So, although a minor detail I thought it may be important to someone -- someday down the road. Hence, it's red dot designation.

To the left of it is a slightly smaller thorn mimic species which goes by the name of Enchenopa binotata. This diminutive little fellow is almost entirely black except for two white patches on the ridge of its thorax. I have found it occasionally on locust however I have much more often found it on other assorted weedy shrubbery for which I have no name....

Included in that same little unit tray is an immature of T. bimaculata as well as a flatid planthopper that got in my way of treehopper collecting !!

Don't mean to be long-winded and it's probably more information than you care to know but this is science and the "devil is in the details".

[Chuck]

Thanks for the discussion of those treehoppers. I've always found them amazing and have a few taxon, generally accidental captures.

Of course these labels will be small and so will the font however, I want it large enough to be reasonably legible with the naked eye.

Excel font size has a pull-down menu, but I think it only goes down to 8 point. The big hint here is that you can manually enter smaller sizes (e.g., 6 point font.) My smallest labels are six point. They are more legible than anything I can do by hand; I can fit more in than if by hand, and it's not messy (e.g., running out of space on a line.) Let me know if you need help.

[bobw]

I always use Excel for my labels too. I use Times New Roman 4pt bold, which I find is quite readable and the label's still small enough to fit under the specimen. I need a magnifying glass to read it, but younger eyes shouldn't have such a problem.

[58chevy]

I just ran across this article in one of my grandfather's old books. The title is The Book of Modern Marvels, published in 1917. If anyone wants a higher-res version that is legible, send me a PM with your email address.