Stictocephala taurina (buffalo treehopper, family Membracidae, in the order Hemiptera, the true bugs) is a green colored species of treehopper notable for its prominent, sharp horns. The horns on treehoppers have functions that include mimicking the thorns of plants and electroreception. According to the article in PNAS, treehoppers and their predators produce electrical fields, and the extreme morphologies of treehoppers aid in the detection of these fields.
Description
Stictocephala taurina is a green species of treehopper, one of 17 species of Stictocephala in North America north of Mexico. It measures about 7.5 mm long. The pronotum is adorned with two prominent horns on the front, numerous pale spots, and ends in a long spine. The horns are not very large and may have a dark edge. The legs are green (reddish in the similar-looking Tortistilus abnorma) and end with yellow tarsi (feet).
Habitat and host plants
Stictocephala taurina lives in forests and forested areas. The nymphs feed on softer herbaceous vegetation, piercing the plants to get sap. Adults move to woody vegetation.
Taxonomy
- Class: Insecta (Insects)
- Order: Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)
- Suborder: Auchenorrhyncha (True Hoppers)
- Infraorder: Cicadomorpha (Cicadas, Spittlebugs, Leafhoppers, and Treehoppers)
- Superfamily: Membracoidea (Leafhoppers and Treehoppers)
- Family: Membracidae (Typical Treehoppers)
- Subfamily Smiliinae
- Tribe Ceresini (Buffalo Treehoppers and allies)
- Genus Stictocephala
- Species taurina (Stictocephala taurina)
Not Very Far Away 