Carynota marmorata (marbled treehopper) is a treehopper in the Membracides. This one caught my attention when I was getting ready to trim back a hazel bush that was extending a little too far into the driveway. I rushed back to the house, got my camera and tripod, and began shooting away.
Description
The high and rounded pronotal (the first segment of the thorax) crest is one of the first things that stand out on this species. The coloration of Carynota marmorata is variable but always a shade of chestnut-brown mottled with irregular greenish white speckling over the pronotum (the dorsal plate of the prothorax). Individuals may vary in the amount of speckling, with some having more than others. There may also be broad, more connected pale yellow patches forming transverse bands across the pronotum.
The pronotum is sparsely pubescent and coarsely punctate. The triangular head is sparingly pubescent, finely punctate, and spotted with red and yellow patches. They have red to black eyes. The tegmina have noticeable veins and are smoky hyaline. The legs are rust-colored, while the underside of the body is chestnut. Adults measure 4 mm in width and 8 mm in length.
Habitat and host plants
Carynota marmorata feeds on trees and shrubs in the birch family (Betulaceae), including paper birch (Betula papyrifera), American hazel (Corylus americana), and tag alder (Alnus incana).
Not Very Far Away 