Treehoppers are one of nature’s most eccentric architects, sporting bizarre shapes and vibrant colors that seem unreal. In this article, we’ll explore 20 unique types of treehoppers, exploring their extraordinary looks. Join us now!
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Brazilian treehopper (Bocydium globulare)
The Brazilian treehopper is one of the most interesting treehoppers on our list. Living in the rainforest, this small bug is just about 5-6 millimeters in length and sports an unusual headdress. It has four spherical, bristle-covered structures made of chitin on its bristles. These balls are thought to protect it by mimicking the look of a parasitic fungus, which helps keep predators away.
Despite its unusual, almost alien appearance, the Brazilian treehopper is just a regular insect that feeds on tree sap. You can find it across multiple continents such as Africa, South America, North America, Asia, and Australia. This insect communicates with others by sending vibrations through trees. It also guards its eggs and nymphs. Here are some interesting facts about the ball-bearing Brazilian treehopper.
Thorn hopper (Centrotus cornutus)
The thorn hopper, one of just two types of treehoppers in the UK, is a small insect about 10 mm long. These hoppers have sturdy, dark-brown bodies and large, round eyes that range from reddish-brown to red.
The most noticeable trait of the thorn hopper is its unique pronotum—the upper part of its back—which is hairy and arches upward, extending into a long, wave-like shape above its wings. This extension features two pointed, ear-like side protrusions, giving it a “horned” look. This is why it’s called “cornutus” in Latin, meaning “horned.”
The peculiar shape of the pronotum helps the species blend in seamlessly with its surroundings. When resting with its legs tucked in, it can easily be mistaken for part of the branch it’s sitting on.
The thorn hopper closely resembles the UK treehopper species Gargara genistae, though it can be distinguished by its unique horn-like protrusions and a longer extension above the wings. You can find this thorn hopper in various plants along woodland paths and similar environments throughout England and Wales. However, it’s rarely seen in Leicestershire and Rutland.
Kaikaia gaga
The Kaikaia gaga is a striking new species of treehopper discovered in Nicaragua. Named after pop icon Lady Gaga for its flamboyant look, this insect sports dark purple and red colors with distinctive horn-like structures on its head, reminiscent of shoulder pads.
“Kaikaia” comes from the Miskito language, meaning “to see,” a nod to the insect’s eye-catching appearance. Representing both a new genus and species, the Kaikaia gaga blends characteristics of treehoppers from both the Old and New Worlds, making it a unique addition to the treehopper family.
Buffalo treehopper (Stictocephala bisonia)
The buffalo treehopper is a small, bright green insect known for its distinctive triangular shape and humpbacked look, reminiscent of an American bison. Part of the Membracinae subfamily, this species is originally from North America but has also spread across the Near East, southern Europe, and North Africa. The adults of the treehoppers typically measure between 6 to 8 millimeters and have clear wings.
The buffalo treehopper mates in the summer. Females lay their eggs between July and October, placing up to twelve eggs into small cuts they make in the bark of branches. The nymphs hatch the next May or June. They start by feeding on grasses and weeds and then move up to the trees when they mature. These bugs can be a nuisance for fruit trees, particularly young apple trees.
Marbled treehopper (Carynota marmorata)
The marbled treehopper, a distinctive insect with a mottled appearance, is native to North America, especially prevalent in the midwestern and eastern United States as well as eastern Canada. This insect is about 8 millimeters long and 4 millimeters wide. It features reddish-brown dorsal surfaces speckled with yellowish spots and a fine, soft covering. The forewings are smoky and semi-transparent, marked by a dark spot near the tip, and its legs are a rusty brown.
This look helps the treehopper blend seamlessly into the bark of various trees such as cottonwood, paper birch, American hazelnut, gray alder, and white oak, where it lives and feeds on sap.
Two-marked treehopper (Enchenopa binotata)
The next treehopper type is the two-marked treehopper. This small insect has a black or brown color. It’s named for the two yellow marks on its back, one longer than the other, which make it easy to identify. This species measures between 5 – 6 mm in length and features a prominent horn near its head.
This bug can be found across eastern North America and is present throughout North Carolina, although it’s not very common. It inhabits diverse environments ranging from wooded areas to grassy spaces near forests and ponds. It thrives on a variety of host plants, including goldenrod, hickory, and Viburnum prunifolium.
Membracis mexicana
Membracis mexicana is a type of treehopper from the Membracidae family, easily recognized by its helmet-like structure on its back. The adults display a striking black color with yellow accents. The younger nymphs begin as black and transform into white with 3 black spots on their sides and back, along with a reddish stripe separating their thorax from the abdomen.
This species is considered a minor pest and is found across a range of locations, including Ecuador, Belize, Mexico, California, Venezuela, Colombia, and various countries in Central America.
Umbonia spinosa
Umbonia spinosa stands out from other types of treehoppers because of its distinctive, thorn-like dorsal horn. This elongated projection runs straight from the base and tapers to a point at the top, resembling a thorn. Located just behind the shoulders, the horn’s base is typically yellow, testaceous, or pale green, adorned with red or yellow stripes on each side, though it may also feature black markings.
This species is found across South and Central America, Mexico, and southern Florida, favoring subtropical climates. They are commonly seen on the branches of trees such as the Persian silk tree and bean tree, where they mate, overwinter, and feed on sap.
Solanaceous treehopper (Antianthe expansa)
The solanaceous treehopper, belonging to the Membracidae family, is a small, green insect about 5 mm in length. It features a unique high ridge on its back with a triangular shape when seen from above. Its young, known as nymphs, display a reddish-brown color with black spines.
The hopper is found across Central and North America, including Hawaii, and extends to regions in Oceania and Tonga. It primarily feeds on plants from the nightshade family, such as peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, and Datura, which is how it got its name.
Ant-mimicking Treehopper (Cyphonia clavata)
The ant-mimicking treehopper is a fascinating insect with a special trick to avoid predators. It has evolved a special feature on its back that looks just like an angry ant that is ready to attack. This rare form of mimicry involves developing a completely new structure that imitates the ant’s head and jaws, rather than just altering an existing part of its body. This clever disguise helps it stay safe from predators.
This adaption is just more than a look. The structure on their back, resembling an ant, seems to move backward as the treehopper moves forward. This clever illusion mimics real ants, which many predators avoid due to their aggressive nature. Such precise mimicry is quite rare in the natural world.
Keeled treehopper (Entylia carinata)
The keeled treehopper is a small species native to North and South America. It resembles a brown leaf and features a unique saddle-shaped bump on its thorax. Females, typically about 6.35 mm in length, display more prominent bumps compared to the slightly smaller males, whose bumps are less noticeable.
They mainly eat plants from the aster family, but they also feed on other plants like dogwood, oak, and solanum. These insects aren’t major pests. They overwinter in leaf litter, reproduce in March, and lay their eggs on aster leaves. The nymphs are easy to spot with their distinctive spiky backs, which become more pronounced as they grow and shed their skins.
Three-spotted treehopper (Vanduzea triguttata)
The three-spotted treehopper, part of the Vanduzea genus, is easily recognized by its dark brown pronotum featuring a striking pale or white spot in the middle, which gives it its name. It also has boldly defined black wing veins. In terms of size, adult males typically measure between 3 to 3.5 mm, and females are slightly larger, around 4 mm long. The nymphs of this species are brown with white speckles.
While it looks similar to its relative, V. arquata, you can tell it apart by the third pale or white spot on its pronotum. The three-spotted treehopper is native to North America.
Atymna querci
Atymna querci is a dimorphic treehopper. This means that there are clear differences between male and female appearance. The males are typically dark brown to black and feature two striking yellow stripes on their back, while females are generally lighter in color. This species is found across North America, including in the US, Canada, and Mexico, making home on oak trees where it feeds on sap.
Cladonota apicalis
Among many types of treehoppers, the Cladonota apicalis is one of the most outstanding species. This species belongs to the Membracidae family and has a size of about 6 to 9 mm in length. It is notable for its intricate pronotum—the upper part of its thorax. Viewed from the side, the pronotum has a distinctive C-shape and features a small tooth-like projection at the back.
When viewed from certain angles, this black treehopper can resemble a bird dropping or a piece of debris. Its pronotum features two large, separate black bulbs and a white spot on the top of the thoracic ornament. The legs are dotted but not hairy. This species is found across a wide range of locations including Mexico, Central America, and several South American countries such as Bolivia, Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, and Ecuador.
Cyrtolobus vau
Cyrtolobus vau is a small, sturdy treehopper species from the Membracidae family. Females measure about 5-6 mm in length. Males typically have a blackish color with distinct white stripes across their bodies, whereas females are slightly lighter. They both have yellowish legs and undersides, making them easily recognizable.
Its pronotum is tallest near the front and features a V-shaped marking. These creatures are typically found in grassy and brushy areas near the edges of forests and in mixed hardwood forests.
Camel treehopper (Smilia camelus)
The next type of treehopper is the Smilia camelus. This bug features two green stripes, which might be hard to spot, especially on rainy days. The coloration varies among individuals, and some may not have these stripes at all. The camel treehopper is characterized by a high pronotum that peaks near the head, rather than in the middle, with females typically having a higher pronotum than males. The size of females is also longer with about 9 mm, while males are around 8 mm.
This species is often found in the eastern regions of Canada and the US. It lives in mixed hardwood forests, where it usually feeds on oak trees from the Quercus genus.
Two-horned treehopper (Stictocephala diceros)
The two-horned treehopper is a small, dark brown insect measuring about 8 to 9 mm long. It stands out with its 2 unique “horns” on its head, giving it a look similar to a buffalo. When viewed from the side, its body shape cleverly mimics a leaf.
This species commonly inhabits temperate hardwood forests, often near American black elderberries. It has been spotted in various parts of North America, including North Carolina and Minnesota. It feeds on a variety of flowering plants, including those from the aster, pea, oak, and rose families.
Locust treehopper (Thelia bimaculata)
The locust treehopper is common across the eastern United States, especially on its favorite tree, the black locust. These insects prefer young trees in sunny, open spots such as the edges of forests or alongside roads. They usually stay below heights of 5 meters.
This treehopper species features a unique, horn-like structure known as the pronotum that extends from its thorax. The females have gray pronota adorned with irregular brown patterns. In contrast, males are dark brown with a striking yellow stripe on each side of their thorax. Typically, adults measure about 11 mm in length, or 14 mm if you include the horn, with females generally being the larger.
Virginia creeper treehopper (Telamona ampelopsidis)
The Virginia creeper treehopper is a tiny insect, about 6-10 mm long, with a unique triangular body and a pointed “helmet.“ Its brown or gray color allows it to camouflage seamlessly with the foliage. This treehopper is commonly found across the eastern and central parts of North America, where it feeds on the sap of its primary host, the Virginia creeper plant.
Oak treehopper (Platycotis vittata)
The oak treehopper is a large, triangular insect found across the eastern United States, from the Northeast to the Southeast, and as far west as Arizona, Texas, and Oregon. It typically measures 8-13 mm in length, including its distinctive horn. This species is notable for its heavy body and the striped patterns it often displays, though it can also appear mottled. The oak treehopper varies greatly in both color and the size of its horn, with 4 recognized color variations.
Oak treehoppers commonly gather on oak trees, including water oak, laurel oak, and turkey oak, to feed. They can also be found on other trees, such as river birch and chestnut. Female treehoppers lay their eggs in small cuts made in tree branches. After the eggs hatch, the nymphs are cared for and protected by the female.
Hickory stegaspidine treehopper (Microcentrus caryae)
The last treehopper species on our list is the hickory stegaspidine treehopper. The species is a subtle grayish-brown or grayish-purple, often with rusty brown tips on the wings and brown veins near the edges. Unlike many other treehoppers, it has a small, rounded pronotum that appears bulging but doesn’t feature the horns or projections typical of the group. It is native to North America and mainly eats hickory trees.