Treehopper

Description

Cyrtolobus dixianus is a relatively small leafhopper. It occurs in eastern and central United States and Canada. It is uncommon throughout its range, including in Minnesota. It feeds on oak and will come to lights. Beyond that, nothing is known of this species life history or behavior.

Like all Cyrtolobus treehoppers, males and females have distinctly different forms. On the female, the head is slightly projected forward. The eyes are mostly yellow but reddish-brown in the center. The face between the eyes is only slightly wider than long. The edge of the cheek (gena) is strongly wavy.

The body is bright green, sometimes washed with bright yellow. When viewed from the front the upper part of the body (crest) is compressed, not rounded, and is strongly elevated.

The exoskeletal plate covering the thorax (pronotum) is bright green with many small white or pale green flecks. It is very long, extending back over the abdomen, and moderately arched, highest just before the middle. There is a large round depression (fovea) on the upperside, and the pronotum is slightly inflated before and after the fovea.

There are two pairs of wings, and they are held roof-like over the body when at rest. The forewings (hemelytra) are thickened, are longer than the body, and completely cover the sides of the body. The hemelytra are entirely clear and glassy or slightly tinged with yellow. They are comprised of a narrow area (clavus) behind the scutellum when the hemelytra are closed; and the remaining, broad, marginal area (corium). The veins are bright green and distinct. There is a horizontal vein crossing the corium that connects two longitudinal veins. The hindwings are thin, membranous, a little shorter than the hemelytra, and concealed beneath the hemelytra.

The legs are green. The claws are reddish.

The male is less arched. The back of the crest is white with a brown splotch toward the front, a broad brown band in the middle running from side to side, and a brown splotch at the tip.

Size

Male: 3⁄16″ (5 mm)

Female: ¼″ (6 to 7 mm)

Similar Species

Habitat

Ecology

Season

April through July

Behavior

Adults will readily come to light.

Life Cycle

Larva Food/Hosts

Adult Food

Oaks (Quercus spp.)