Treehoppers

Rafinesque 1815a
Funkhouser 1927f
Funkhouser 1951a
Metcalf and Wade 1965a
Deitz 1975a
Dietrich and McKamey 1995a
McKamey 1998a
Lin, Danforth, and Wood 2004a
Godoy, Miranda, and Nishida 2006a
Wallace 2010a
McKamey 2022a
Flórez-V. 2022a

Phylogenetic analyses based on morphological (Dietrich and McKamey 1995a) and molecular data (Lin, Danforth, and Wood 2004a) indicate the subfamily Membracinae is in serious need of reclassification at both the generic and tribal levels. The tribes Aconophorini, Hoplophorionini, and Hypsoprorini all appear to be monophyletic groups, each with distinct morphologies and behaviors, however, the taxonomic limits and phylogenetic status of the “Membracini,” “Bolbonotini” (here considered a synonym of Membracini), and “Talipedini” remain unclear. The taxonomic limits of many of the included genera must be clarified as a precursor to redefining the tribes and elucidating the relationships among them (Dietrich and McKamey 1995a). Flórez-V. (2022a) prepared a revised key to the five currently recognized tribes and the genus Oropedium, which is currently incertae sedis within Membracinae.

Membracinae

Neotropical and Nearctic regions: throughout most of the temperate and tropical regions of the Americas, including the West Indies; questionably introduced to Indomalayan region; introduced to Australian region.

Pronotum simple, globular, or foliaceous, with or without frontal, dorsal, lateral, or posterior horns or tubercles; posterior process entirely concealing scutellum. Forewings in repose fully exposed; claval apex truncate (most taxa) or acuminate (Hysoprorini); apical limbus broad, at least in part. Pro- and mesothoracic tibiae simple to extremely foliaceous. Metathoracic tibiae simple, foliaceous, or distally clavate, tibial rows I and II often with prominently cucullate setae, row III with weakly cucullate setae (most Aconophorini) or absent, all tibial rows absent in most Hoplophorionini (some with setae in row I). Abdomen with or without conspicuous pits.

Lewis L. Deitz, Olivia Evangelista, Matthew S. Wallace, and Mark J. Rothschild, 21 September 2022.