University of Michigan Biological Station

Biology 442 - Biology of Insects

Lecture Notes - Families of Homoptera

1. Auchenorrhyncha (Cicadas and Hoppers). Tarsi 3 segmented, antennae short and bristlelike.
   1. Cicadidae (Cicadas).
      1. Size - medium to large.
      2. Diagnostic characters.
         1. Antennae in front of eye.
         2. Large size.
         3. 3 ocelli.
      3. Habitat. Woodland edges.
      4. Food. Feed on xylem of woody plants.
      5. Other. 13 and 17 year life cycles present. Probably 3 spp. Singing is well known.
   2. Membracidae (Treehoppers).
      1. Size - small to medium.
      2. Diagnostic characters.
         1. Antennae in front of eye.
         2. Extended pronotum.
         3. Often mimics of plant structures.
      3. Habitat. Various.
      4. Food. Most on trees and shrubs but some on herbaceous.
      5. Other. Pronotum may be modified wildly to look like thorns or other structures.
   3. Cercopidae (Froghoppers or spittlebugs).
      1. Size - small to medium.
      2. Diagnostic characters.
         1. Antennae in front of eye.
         2. Circle of spines of hind tibiae.
         3. Body wide toward the middle.
      3. Habitat. Various.
      4. Food. Xylem of trees, shrubs, herbs.
      5. Other. Whip up froth out of anus, keeps larva moist and possibly provides protection.
   4. Cicadellidae (Leafhoppers).
      1. Size - small to medium.
      2. Diagnostic characters.
         1. Antennae in front of eye.
         2. Row of spines on hind tibia.
         3. Often brightly colored.
      3. Habitat. Any terrestrial habitat.
      4. Food. Phloem of many different plants.
      5. Other. Many important pests in this group. Some transmit disease.
   5. Dictyopharidae.
      1. Size - medium.
      2. Diagnostic characters.
         1. Antennae under eye.
         2. Head prolonged into snout-like process.
      3. Habitat. Fields.
      4. Food. Phloem of grasses.
      5. Other. Some members may not have snout.
   6. Flatidae.
      1. Size - medium.
      2. Diagnostic characters.
         1. Antennae under eye.
         2. Body laterally flattened.
         3. Many cross veins in costal area of forewings.
      3. Habitat. Woodlands.
      4. Food. Phloem of vines, shrubs and trees.
      5. Other. Uncommon this far north.
   7. Acanaloniidae.
      1. Size - medium.
      2. Diagnostic characters.
         1. Antennae under eye.
         2. Body laterally flattened.
         3. Does not have many cross veins in costal area of forewing.
      3. Habitat. Woodlands.
      4. Food. Phloem of woody plants.
      5. Other. Not very common this far north.
2. Sternorrhyncha. 1 or 2 segmented tarsi; long antennae when present.
   1. Psyllidae (Jumping plant lice).
      1. Size - small.
      2. Diagnostic characters.
         1. Long antennae.
         2. Look like mini-cicadas.
      3. Habitat. Many terrestrial habitats.
      4. Food. Phloem of various plants. Some form galls (Hackberry galls).
      5. Other. Some are bad pest species.
   2. Aphididae (Aphids).
      1. Size - minute to small.
      2. Diagnostic characters.
         1. Long antennae.
         2. Cornicles for secretion of defensive material on back.
         3. May be winged or not.
      3. Habitat. Many different terrestrial habitats.
      4. Food. Phloem of many plants.
      5. Other. Secrete honeydew from anus. Tended by ants (ant cows). Parthenogenesis and alternation of generations prevalent. Many are important pests.
   3. S. F. Coccoidea (Scales).
      1. Size - minute to small.
      2. Diagnostic characters.
         1. Sessile on plant.
         2. Covered by hard scale.
         3. Antennae short.
      3. Habitat. Many different terrestrial habitats.
      4. Food. Phloem of many different plants.
      5. Other. 1st instars are crawlers, find host plant; settle down and become sessile from then on; adult males have 1 pair of wings and do not feed. Many families here. Many important pests.

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