News
New Treehoppers in the Genera Telamona and Smilidarnis
2023-08-10
Flynn, D. {J.} [2023a (dated 2022)]. A new species of Telamona from California (Hemiptera: Membracidae; Smiliinae: Telamonini) and key to Telamona found in California. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 124(4): 761-768. [This work was published on 14 July 2023 based on Crossref.org.]
[Telamona californica, new species, is described and illustrated from California, USA, with an illustrated key to distinguish it from the three other Telamona species known from California (T. calva, T. coronata, T. vestita, and T. vestita carynotana, all described by Ball). In this work, Flynn points out that, according to Ball’s (1931f) revision of the tribe Telamonini, prior records of Telamona decorata and T. reclivata from California were based on misidentifications of Palonica pyramidata var. portola and T. vestita, respectively, and records of a T. decorata male from New Mexico were based on a misidentification of T. gibbera. These misidentifications (and incorrect state records) were overlooked by Metcalf and Wade (1965a: catalog section 1; catalog section includes Telamonini) and subsequent workers (Deitz and Wallace 2012a). This oversight likely occurred because Metcalf and Wade’s 1965 catalog is a supplement to Funkhouser’s (1927f) catalog, which appeared a few years prior to Ball’s 1931 revision. A summary of prior locality records for each species from Funkhouser’s 1927 work was listed by Metcalf and Wade, but every prior publication listed by Funkhouser was not re-catalogued with notes on misidentifications. McKamey’s (1999a) catalog is likewise a supplement to the two preceding catalogs. The World Auchenorrhyncha Database includes a current online catalog of treehopper species.]
McKamey, S. H. 2023b. Three new species of the Neotropical genus Smilidarnis Andrade (Hemiptera, Membracidae). ZooKeys 1174: 85–95. [Open access].
[Three new species of Smilidarnis are described and illustrated: S. duocornus (from Brazil), S. erwini (from Ecuador), and S. robustus (from Peru). This publication includes an illustrated key to distinguish the five species (all Neotropical) recognized in this genus, which is currently unplaced (incertae sedis) within the family Membracidae.]
[Telamona californica, new species, is described and illustrated from California, USA, with an illustrated key to distinguish it from the three other Telamona species known from California (T. calva, T. coronata, T. vestita, and T. vestita carynotana, all described by Ball). In this work, Flynn points out that, according to Ball’s (1931f) revision of the tribe Telamonini, prior records of Telamona decorata and T. reclivata from California were based on misidentifications of Palonica pyramidata var. portola and T. vestita, respectively, and records of a T. decorata male from New Mexico were based on a misidentification of T. gibbera. These misidentifications (and incorrect state records) were overlooked by Metcalf and Wade (1965a: catalog section 1; catalog section includes Telamonini) and subsequent workers (Deitz and Wallace 2012a). This oversight likely occurred because Metcalf and Wade’s 1965 catalog is a supplement to Funkhouser’s (1927f) catalog, which appeared a few years prior to Ball’s 1931 revision. A summary of prior locality records for each species from Funkhouser’s 1927 work was listed by Metcalf and Wade, but every prior publication listed by Funkhouser was not re-catalogued with notes on misidentifications. McKamey’s (1999a) catalog is likewise a supplement to the two preceding catalogs. The World Auchenorrhyncha Database includes a current online catalog of treehopper species.]
McKamey, S. H. 2023b. Three new species of the Neotropical genus Smilidarnis Andrade (Hemiptera, Membracidae). ZooKeys 1174: 85–95. [Open access].
[Three new species of Smilidarnis are described and illustrated: S. duocornus (from Brazil), S. erwini (from Ecuador), and S. robustus (from Peru). This publication includes an illustrated key to distinguish the five species (all Neotropical) recognized in this genus, which is currently unplaced (incertae sedis) within the family Membracidae.]
Phylogeny of Membracoidea Based on Transcriptome Data
2023-07-03
Hu, Y.; Dietrich, C. H.; Skinner, R. K.; Zhang, Y. 2023a. Phylogeny of Membracoidea (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha) based on transcriptome data. Systematic
Entomology 48: 97-110. [DOI: 10.1111/syen.12563; the early view version of this work was available online in 2022, paged 1-14, DOI: 10.1111/syen.12563].
[Based on extensive, but not comprehensive, sampling of membracoid subfamilies and tribes, the authors provide an improved backbone phylogeny of the superfamily Membracoidea. This publication supports several previous studies indicating that, as currently defined, (1) the leafhopper family Cicadellidae is paraphyletic with respect to treehopper families Aetalionidae, Melizoderidae, and Membracidae, and furthermore (2) the treehopper family Membracidae is paraphyletic with respect to Aetalionidae or Melizoderidae, or to both (these relationships were not resolved). Regarding treehopper taxa, the authors transfer the genus Holdgatiella from the subfamily Nicomiinae to Melizoderinae and place the subfamily Stegaspidinae as a synonym of Centrotinae. These findings concur with an earlier work by Skinner et al. (2019a, see below). Moreover, the Hu et al. (2023a) study reveals notable unresolved areas in the existing classifications of both treehoppers and leafhoppers that merit further intensive study. An obvious next step will be to add our knowledge of the morphology of these groups to the improved phylogenetic backbone, thus elucidating the morphological derivations at each node to produce sound descriptive keys for identifying the taxa.]
Skinner, R. K.; Dietrich, C. H.; Walden, K. K. O.; Gordon, E.; Sweet, A. D., Podsiadlowski, L.; Petersen, M.; Simon, C.; Takiya, D. M.; Johnson, K. P. 2019a. Phylogenomics of Auchenorrhyncha (Insecta: Hemiptera) using transcriptomes: examining controversial relationships via degeneracy coding and interrogation of gene conflict. Systematic Entomology 45: 85–113. [DOI: 10.1111/Syen.12381]
[Although similar to the study by Hu et al. (2022a), this earlier publication (Skinner et al. 2019a) was more broadly focused on the suborder Auchenorrhyncha and included far fewer representatives of the superfamily Membracoidea.]
Note: Higher taxa synonymies proposed in the abstract of the Hu et al. (2023a) paper would drastically change long-accepted concepts of the family Membracidae and subfamily Centrotinae, both of which are widely distributed in both the Old and New Worlds. Their studies suggest greater complexity in phylogenetic relationships among the taxa than is reflected in existing classifications, including a number of paraphyletic groups as currently defined. Moreover, it seems likely that more, rather than fewer, higher taxa will be needed to define all such groups as monophyletic clades. Thus, pending further study of alternative proposals that maintain greater nomenclatural stability in common names (leafhoppers and treehoppers) and scientific names of higher taxa, the synonymies proposed by Hu et al. are not reflected in the classification followed on the Treehoppers website as this time (3 July 2023).
[Based on extensive, but not comprehensive, sampling of membracoid subfamilies and tribes, the authors provide an improved backbone phylogeny of the superfamily Membracoidea. This publication supports several previous studies indicating that, as currently defined, (1) the leafhopper family Cicadellidae is paraphyletic with respect to treehopper families Aetalionidae, Melizoderidae, and Membracidae, and furthermore (2) the treehopper family Membracidae is paraphyletic with respect to Aetalionidae or Melizoderidae, or to both (these relationships were not resolved). Regarding treehopper taxa, the authors transfer the genus Holdgatiella from the subfamily Nicomiinae to Melizoderinae and place the subfamily Stegaspidinae as a synonym of Centrotinae. These findings concur with an earlier work by Skinner et al. (2019a, see below). Moreover, the Hu et al. (2023a) study reveals notable unresolved areas in the existing classifications of both treehoppers and leafhoppers that merit further intensive study. An obvious next step will be to add our knowledge of the morphology of these groups to the improved phylogenetic backbone, thus elucidating the morphological derivations at each node to produce sound descriptive keys for identifying the taxa.]
Skinner, R. K.; Dietrich, C. H.; Walden, K. K. O.; Gordon, E.; Sweet, A. D., Podsiadlowski, L.; Petersen, M.; Simon, C.; Takiya, D. M.; Johnson, K. P. 2019a. Phylogenomics of Auchenorrhyncha (Insecta: Hemiptera) using transcriptomes: examining controversial relationships via degeneracy coding and interrogation of gene conflict. Systematic Entomology 45: 85–113. [DOI: 10.1111/Syen.12381]
[Although similar to the study by Hu et al. (2022a), this earlier publication (Skinner et al. 2019a) was more broadly focused on the suborder Auchenorrhyncha and included far fewer representatives of the superfamily Membracoidea.]
Note: Higher taxa synonymies proposed in the abstract of the Hu et al. (2023a) paper would drastically change long-accepted concepts of the family Membracidae and subfamily Centrotinae, both of which are widely distributed in both the Old and New Worlds. Their studies suggest greater complexity in phylogenetic relationships among the taxa than is reflected in existing classifications, including a number of paraphyletic groups as currently defined. Moreover, it seems likely that more, rather than fewer, higher taxa will be needed to define all such groups as monophyletic clades. Thus, pending further study of alternative proposals that maintain greater nomenclatural stability in common names (leafhoppers and treehoppers) and scientific names of higher taxa, the synonymies proposed by Hu et al. are not reflected in the classification followed on the Treehoppers website as this time (3 July 2023).
Photos and Notes from the 31st Annual Treehopper Gathering
2023-06-13
This year’s Annual Treehopper Aggregation (Ridge Rider Campground, Little Orleans, Maryland, 2-4 June 2023) attracted 34 attendees from nine states, including groups of students from the University of Delaware and The Ohio State University (Figs. 1-3; 14-18). The photos displayed below illustrate a variety of activities from collecting, studying, and photographing insects (Figs. 4-10), to chatting about research projects, lounging, cooling off in the pool, and, as usual, enjoying tasty food (Fig. 11). Matt Wallace revealed that he is compiling an illustrated field guide to the treehoppers of Pennsylvania and three of his photos from the gathering are shown in Figs. 4-6. Some folks collected biological specimens other than insects, as well as fossils and rocks (Figs. 12-13). Moreover, Solomon Hendrix created an iNaturalist project for the Treehopper Gathering that includes treehoppers and many other taxa. Additionally, various hopper specimens were lent for research and others were returned. We were also introduced to Eli Wyman’s brilliant Platycotis tattoo (Fig. 15), as well as awesome playing cards from the Caterpillar Lab and a matching game, and an interesting online source for treehopper T-shirts, masks, pins, posters, and such.
Figs. 1-3. 2023 Treehopper Gathering Attendees. Fig. 1, Group photo. Back (standing), left to right: Mark Rothschild; Solomon Hendrix; Charles Bartlett; Vinton Thompson; Lewis Deitz; Michael Hennessey; Dawn Flynn; Lawrence Barringer; Claire Ciafre; Matthew Wallace; Ashley Kennedy; Kelley Tilmon; Katie Weglarz; Wil Winter; Jason Owens; Anthony Deczynski; Emma Jonas; Nate Nazdrowicz; Corey McDonald; Angel Haller; Yamikani Ng'ona; Danna Vera; Helen Ashbrook. Front (kneeling or crouching), left to right : Hava Amsbury; Eli Wyman; Pamela Zader; Kenneth Geisert; Claire Bernard; Madelyn Collins; Margot Wohl; and Arnold Gomez. Fig. 2. Luke Reynolds (Friday evening). Fig. 3. Digby Roberts (left) and Amaal Yazdi (right) at the pool. (Copyrights 2023: 1, by Eli Wyman; 2-3, by Ashley Kennedy.)
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. . . . . . but Luke, Digby, and Amaal missed the group photo. . . . 2
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Figs. 4-6. Treehopper photos. 4, Atymna querci; 5, Telamona decorata 6. Microcentrus perditus. (© Copyright 2023: all by Matthew S. Wallace.)
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Figs. 7-11. Collecting by night and day (7-10) and feasting (11) (© Copyrights 2023: 7-8 and 10 by Matthew S. Wallace; 9, by Claire Ciafre.; 11, by Dawn Flynn.)
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. . . . . . . more collecting . . 10
. . . the Saturday feast .
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Figs. 12-13. Local rocks and fossils. (© Copyrights 2023, both by Lewis L. Deitz)
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…. fossil crinoid stems
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Figs. 14-18. The most... dedicated (14) Mark (left) and Solomon (right)... awesome tattoo (15) Eli (Platycotis treehopper)... scholarly (16) Vinton... exhausted (17) Charles (gathering organizer)… out of control (18) Emma.
(© Copyrights 2023: 14 and 17, by Dawn Flynn; 15-16, 18, by Eli Wyman [photo 15, taken by Matthew S. Wallace]).
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. . . . . . . . . . All in all, in every way, the gathering was a great success.
Figs. 1-3. 2023 Treehopper Gathering Attendees. Fig. 1, Group photo. Back (standing), left to right: Mark Rothschild; Solomon Hendrix; Charles Bartlett; Vinton Thompson; Lewis Deitz; Michael Hennessey; Dawn Flynn; Lawrence Barringer; Claire Ciafre; Matthew Wallace; Ashley Kennedy; Kelley Tilmon; Katie Weglarz; Wil Winter; Jason Owens; Anthony Deczynski; Emma Jonas; Nate Nazdrowicz; Corey McDonald; Angel Haller; Yamikani Ng'ona; Danna Vera; Helen Ashbrook. Front (kneeling or crouching), left to right : Hava Amsbury; Eli Wyman; Pamela Zader; Kenneth Geisert; Claire Bernard; Madelyn Collins; Margot Wohl; and Arnold Gomez. Fig. 2. Luke Reynolds (Friday evening). Fig. 3. Digby Roberts (left) and Amaal Yazdi (right) at the pool. (Copyrights 2023: 1, by Eli Wyman; 2-3, by Ashley Kennedy.)
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. . . . . . but Luke, Digby, and Amaal missed the group photo. . . . 2
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Figs. 4-6. Treehopper photos. 4, Atymna querci; 5, Telamona decorata 6. Microcentrus perditus. (© Copyright 2023: all by Matthew S. Wallace.)
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Figs. 7-11. Collecting by night and day (7-10) and feasting (11) (© Copyrights 2023: 7-8 and 10 by Matthew S. Wallace; 9, by Claire Ciafre.; 11, by Dawn Flynn.)
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. . . . . . . more collecting . . 10
. . . the Saturday feast .
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Figs. 12-13. Local rocks and fossils. (© Copyrights 2023, both by Lewis L. Deitz)
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…. fossil crinoid stems
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Figs. 14-18. The most... dedicated (14) Mark (left) and Solomon (right)... awesome tattoo (15) Eli (Platycotis treehopper)... scholarly (16) Vinton... exhausted (17) Charles (gathering organizer)… out of control (18) Emma.
(© Copyrights 2023: 14 and 17, by Dawn Flynn; 15-16, 18, by Eli Wyman [photo 15, taken by Matthew S. Wallace]).
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. . . . . . . . . . All in all, in every way, the gathering was a great success.New Genera of Acutalini: Ceresinoidea, Quinquespinosa, and Tectiforma
2023-05-04
McKamey, S. H. 2023a. Three new monobasic genera and three new species of the New World treehopper tribe Acutalini (Hemiptera, Membracidae, Smiliinae) with a key to all genera. ZooKeys 1143: 189–203. [Open access]. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1143.94124
In this paper, three new acutaline genera, each with one new species, are described and illustrated (see list and figures, below). McKamey’s updated key to all 8 genera of Acutalini is based on features of the forewing venation and the pronotum. Stuart McKamey kindly provided the photos, below. These USDA images, prepared by Alyssa Seemann, are not under copyright protection. From left to right, each series of photos below represents the anterior, lateral, and dorsal aspects of the species illustrated. Additional photos of these taxa are available on our taxon pages and in McKamey's open access publication.
In Ceresinoidea zacki (n. gen. and sp. from Guatemala: Figs. 1-3), the pronotum is elevated and strongly convex in lateral view; it is unique among acutalines in bearing a pair of acute suprahumeral spines. The forewing has 2 adjacent discoidal cells (R2+3 and M) and 2 m-cu crossveins.
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In Quinquespinosa septamacula (n. gen. and sp. widely distributed in South America: Figs. 4-6), the pronotum has 3 spines posteriorly and the forewing has 1 basal cell (M) and 1 discoidal cell (R2+3).
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In Tectiforma guayasensis, (n. gen and sp. from Ecuador: Figs. 7-9) the pronotum is strongly tectiform throughout and the forewing has 2 adjacent discoidal cells (R2+3 and M) and 2 m-cu crossveins.
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In this paper, three new acutaline genera, each with one new species, are described and illustrated (see list and figures, below). McKamey’s updated key to all 8 genera of Acutalini is based on features of the forewing venation and the pronotum. Stuart McKamey kindly provided the photos, below. These USDA images, prepared by Alyssa Seemann, are not under copyright protection. From left to right, each series of photos below represents the anterior, lateral, and dorsal aspects of the species illustrated. Additional photos of these taxa are available on our taxon pages and in McKamey's open access publication.
In Ceresinoidea zacki (n. gen. and sp. from Guatemala: Figs. 1-3), the pronotum is elevated and strongly convex in lateral view; it is unique among acutalines in bearing a pair of acute suprahumeral spines. The forewing has 2 adjacent discoidal cells (R2+3 and M) and 2 m-cu crossveins.
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In Quinquespinosa septamacula (n. gen. and sp. widely distributed in South America: Figs. 4-6), the pronotum has 3 spines posteriorly and the forewing has 1 basal cell (M) and 1 discoidal cell (R2+3).
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In Tectiforma guayasensis, (n. gen and sp. from Ecuador: Figs. 7-9) the pronotum is strongly tectiform throughout and the forewing has 2 adjacent discoidal cells (R2+3 and M) and 2 m-cu crossveins.
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