HemipteraMembracidae – Typical Treehoppers

Platycotis maritima

This record describes Platycotis maritima (species). Recorded family: Membracidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.

Identification and Appearance

Platycotis maritima - Platycotis maritima — Contributed by Charley Eiseman

Hornless; heavily marked black midline on the crest

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)
Suborder: Auchenorrhyncha
Superfamily: Membracoidea
Family: Membracidae (Typical Treehoppers)
Subfamily: Membracinae
Tribe: Hoplophorionini
Genus: Platycotis

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

West coast

Diet and Behavior

Diet: Hemlock

About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group

Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Platycotis maritima. Species-specific details appear above.

Group overview

Hemiptera (true bugs) includes over 80,000 described species across cicadas, aphids, leafhoppers, shield bugs, and bed bugs. Aphids alone cost global agriculture an estimated $2.5 billion annually in crop losses.

Ecological role of the group

Many Hemiptera are essential food sources for birds and predatory insects. Cicadas provide massive nutrient pulses during emergence events - a single Brood X emergence can involve trillions of individuals across 15 states.

Economic and practical significance of the group

The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) caused $37 million in apple crop losses in a single year in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region. Bed bug infestations in the U.S. increased by 500% between 2001-2010, costing the hotel industry hundreds of millions annually.

Recorded sources for this group: USDA, EPA, University research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.

Explore Hemiptera families and species →