
Community identification
Buffalo Treehopper
Stictocephala bisonia
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Membracidae
- Size
- 6 to 8 mm (approximately 0.25 to 0.3 inches)
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.