typical treehoppers

(Subfamily Smiliinae)

Overview
typical treehopper (Subfamily Smiliinae)
Photo by Alfredo Colon
 

Smiliinae is a subfamily of typical treehoppers. There are about 100 genera in 10 tribes worldwide. There are at least 210 species in about 40 genera in 7 tribes, and three genera that have not been assigned to tribes, in North America north of Mexico. There are at least 71 species in at least 21 genera in Minnesota. All Smiliinae species are native to the Americas, and a few species have been introduced in Europe, Asia, and the Oceanic region.

 
           
 
Description
 
 

The rear extension of the exoskeletal plate covering the thorax (pronotum) completely covers the plate between the wings (scutellum). In some groups it also partially conceals the wings when at rest.

The abdomen usually does not have conspicuous pits.

On the forewings, the R4+5 vein is merged with the M1+2 vein at least near the end. The radial-media (r-m) cross vein is absent. The narrow area (clavus) behind the scutellum when the wings are closed is squared off (truncate) at the end.

On the hind legs the first segment (coxa) and second segment (trochanter) do not have spines; the fourth segment (tibia) does not have a leaf-like extension; and on most species there are three rows of enlarged hairs (cucullate setae) on the hind tibia.

 
     
 
Distribution
 
 

Distribution Map

 

Sources

24, 27, 30, 82.

 
  1/27/2023      
         
 
Taxonomy
 
 

Order

Hemiptera (true bugs, hoppers, aphids, and allies)  
 

Suborder

Auchenorrhyncha (true hoppers)  
 

Infraorder

Cicadomorpha (spittlebugs, cicadas, leafhoppers and treehoppers)  
 

Superfamily

Membracoidea (leafhoppers and treehoppers)  
 

Family

Membracidae (typical treehoppers)  
       
 

Subordinate Taxa

 
 

buffalo treehoppers (Tribe Ceresini)

Tribe Acutalini

Tribe Amastrini

Tribe Micrutalini

Tribe Polyglyptini

Tribe Quadrinarein

Tribe Smiliini

Tribe Telamonini

Tribe Thuridini

Tribe Tragopini

Incertae sedis (uncertain placement)

Antianthe spp.

Hemicardiacus spp.

Smilirhexia spp.

Tropidarnis spp.

 
       
 

Synonyms

 
 

 

 
       
 

Common Names

 
 

This subfamily has no common name. The common name of the Family Membracidae is typical treehoppers, and it is used here for convenience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glossary

Coxa

The first segment of the leg of an insect, attaching the leg to the body, and connected to the trochanter. Plural: coxae.

 

Pronotum

The exoskeletal plate on the upper side of the first segment of the thorax of an insect.

 

Scutellum

The exoskeletal plate covering the rearward (posterior) part of the middle segment of the thorax in some insects. In Coleoptera, Hemiptera, and Homoptera, the dorsal, often triangular plate behind the pronotum and between the bases of the front wings. In Diptera, the exoskeletal plate between the abdomen and the thorax.

 

Tibia

The fourth segment of an insect leg, after the femur and before the tarsus (foot). The fifth segment of a spider leg or palp.

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
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Alfredo Colon

 
    typical treehopper (Subfamily Smiliinae)   typical treehopper (Subfamily Smiliinae)  
           
 
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  Alfredo Colon
6/2/2021

Location: Woodbury, MN

typical treehopper (Subfamily Smiliinae)

 
           
 
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Created: 1/27/2023

Last Updated:

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