Bug Identifier
Buffalo Treehopper
Community identification

Buffalo Treehopper

Stictocephala bisonia

Order & Family
Hemiptera: Membracidae
Size
6 to 8 mm (approximately 0.25 to 0.3 inches)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found on various host plants including fruit trees, vegetables (like tomatoes), and ornamental shrubs across North America and Europe.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous; they use piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on plant sap from stems and leaves.

Behavior Patterns

Notable for their triangular, 'buffalo-like' shape and jumping ability. Females slit stems to deposit eggs, which can cause minor girdling or dieback in young plant shoots.

Risks & Benefits

Considered a minor garden pest; they can damage young plant growth through egg-laying and feeding, though they are usually not a major threat to mature plants. They serve as a food source for various birds and predatory insects.