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Hoppers of Zihuatanejo

SUBORDER AUCHENORRYNCHA

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

-Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)

-Insects (Class Insecta)

-Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)

-True Bugs, Hoppers, Aphids, and Allies (Order Hemiptera)

-True Hoppers (Suborder Auchenorrhyncha)

-Planthoppers Infraorder (Fulgoromorpha)

-Superfamily Fulgoroidea

-Family Fulgoroidae​​

-Tribe Fulgorini

-Subtribe Odontopterina

-Genus Aphrodisias

-Aphrodisias shaman


Aphrodisias shaman is a striking species of treehopper in the family Membracidae. Native to regions of Central and South America, this species typically inhabits forested or shrubby environments where it feeds on plant sap using its piercing-sucking mouthparts. Like many treehoppers, A. shaman may engage in mutualistic interactions with ants, which protect the insect in exchange for honeydew secretions.

Aphrodisias Lanternfly

Aphrodisias shaman

Description

  • Aphrodisias shaman is a small to medium-sized sharpshooter leafhopper in the family Cicadellidae and subfamily Cicadellinae. It has the typical wedge-shaped body of a sharpshooter, with a broad head, prominent eyes, strong hind legs, and fully developed wings. Its body is predominantly dark with contrasting pale or yellowish markings, giving it a distinctive patterned appearance among foliage.

Range

  • Aphrodisias shaman is a Mexican species associated with the Pacific and southern regions of the country. Its range includes Guerrero, and it occurs in the Zihuatanejo region where suitable vegetation is present.

Habitat

  • It inhabits warm tropical and subtropical environments, including tropical dry forest, woodland, scrub, forest edges, and areas of dense vegetation. Adults are generally found on leaves and stems of shrubs and trees, where their contrasting markings can provide partial camouflage.

Diet

  • Aphrodisias shaman is a plant-feeding leafhopper that uses piercing-sucking mouthparts to extract fluids from vascular plants. It feeds on plant sap from foliage and stems, probably utilising a variety of woody and herbaceous host plants within its habitat.

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