Treehoppers

The most notable agricultural pest in this family is the buffalo treehopper (Stictocephala bisonia). These insects are polyphagous, meaning they feed on a wide variety of plants, including fruit trees like apples, pears, peaches, and various shrubs. They are particularly detrimental to young orchards where structural damage to bark can have long-term consequences.

The life cycle of most temperate-zone treehoppers involves a single generation per year. They overwinter as eggs, which are inserted by the female into deep slits cut into the bark of young twigs. After hatching in the spring, the nymphs feed on plant sap and go through several instars before maturing into adults by mid-summer.

The damage caused by treehoppers is twofold. First, both nymphs and adults suck phloem sap, which can stunt the growth of young trees. Second, and most importantly, the egg-laying process causes mechanical damage. The slits in the bark inhibit the growth of the twig, lead to localized necrosis, and create entry points for various fungal and bacterial pathogens, which may eventually kill the branch.

Effective control measures include:

• Removal and destruction of infested twigs during winter pruning.
• Management of weeds in and around the orchard, as nymphs often require alternative herbaceous hosts.
• Application of insecticides during the early nymphal stages.
• Promoting tree vigor through proper fertilization and irrigation to ensure better wound healing after egg-laying incidents.