Lantana Treehopper - Aconophora compressa
Family Membracidae
This page contains pictures and information about Lantana Treehoppers that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.
- Adult body length 8mm
- The Lantana Treehoppers are also known as Lantana sap-sucking bugs. They are common in Brisbane but hardly be noticed. They camouflage very well. The insects are brown in colour and look like thorns on the host plant. Once we learnt how to recognize the Lantana Treehoppers, we can always find this insect on the stem of Lantana plants.
- Insects in the family Membracidae have the pronotum extending back over the abdomen between wings. Many species also have the pronotum extending forward so that the insects look like thorns on the host plant.
- The insect exudes a sugary solution called honeydew from the plants. Like all other hopper species, when they are disturbed, they jump and disappear.
- Adults and different stages of nymphs can be found on the same plant.
The Host Plant
- Lantana - “Most Wanted Weeds” in Australia
- Lantana camara
- Lantana is listed as a Weed of National Significance - one of the “Most Wanted Weeds” in Australia. Lantana is a problem in Brisbane bushland. In 1995 Lantana Treehoppers are introduced from Mexico to NSW and Queensland as a biological control agent of the weed Lantana.
- Reference and link:
- 1. Aconophora compressa - Australian Insect Common Names, 2005.
- 2. Aconophora compressa - Weeds & pest animal management, 2005
- 3. Aconophora compressa - Fletcher, M.J. and Larivière, M.-C. (2001 and updates).
