They might be tiny, but the two-marked treehopper is full of surprises. This remarkable insect is often mistaken for a thorn due to its unique shape. So come and join us as we explore the world of this species, from its incredible jumping abilities to its interesting appearance.
Scientific name: Enchenopa binotata
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Family: Membracidae
Genus: Enchenopa
Two-marked treehopper appearance
The two-marked treehopper, one of thousands types of treehoppers, is a tiny, distinctive insect, measuring about 7 to 9mm. Males are slightly smaller, usually between 7 and 7.5mm, while females range from 8 to 9mm. They have a brown or black color with two unique yellow spots on their back, one of which is longer than the other.
They also sport a long, horn-like projection near their head, an extension of their shoulder area, giving them a distinctive, spiny look. Their eyes and forewings vary in shades from brown to reddish-brown, and their legs are uniquely structured with wide, flat front legs and slender, spiny back legs.
Their nymphs are tiny, starting at less than 1mm, and are gray and black in color.
Habitat
Two-marked treehoppers inhabit a wide range of environments across North America. You can spot them in grassy or brushy areas and mixed hardwood forests where their preferred plants grow. They’re primarily found across a U-shaped region in the United States, stretching from Pennsylvania and New Jersey down to Florida, and then west to Mississippi, Arizona, Texas, and California.
Their presence has also been noted as far north as Oregon and Vancouver Island in Canada. While they are seen in states like Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee, and western North Carolina. These insects are less commonly recorded in the central parts of the country.
Diet
The two-marked treehopper is a species that feeds exclusively on one type of plant, which varies between different populations. This treehopper is commonly found on plants like black locust, tulip tree, black walnut, redbud, black haw, butternut, and wafer ash/hop tree. You can often spot groups of these adults clustered together on a twig, all facing the same direction as they feed on plant sap.
Regarded as pests, their persistent feeding can weaken plants, causing the leaves to brown and potentially leading to the plant’s death.
This two-marked treehopper has quite a few natural predators like birds, predatory insects, and tiny wasps like fairyflies and those from the Trichogrammatidae family. Like other species, it has evolved several strategies to evade its many natural enemies.
It mimics thorns and other plant structures to blend into its surroundings, staying motionless to go unnoticed. When threatened, these treehoppers can make a quick escape by jumping or flying away. Females also play an active role in safeguarding their future generations. They guard their eggs vigilantly to shield them from parasites.
Life cycle
The life cycle of the two-marked treehopper is both simple and fascinating. A female treehopper lays her eggs in a cluster under the bark of a branch and then protects them with a foamy, white substance known as “egg froth.” This froth not only shields the eggs but also releases a chemical that attracts other females to lay their eggs nearby. As a result, it’s common to find ten or more egg masses on a single branch. The eggs remain there through the winter and hatch when spring arrives.
The nymphs that hatch secrete a sweet substance that draws ants. These ants, in turn, protect the nymphs, significantly lowering their chances of dying as the season progresses. As they grow, the nymphs go through several stages, each larger than the last, with the older ones developing wing pads. It takes about 3-4 weeks for them to mature into adults.
This type of treehopper typically has one or several broods each year, depending on its location and species. Adult two-marked treehoppers live for a few months, with males tending to have a shorter lifespan than females.
