Stictocephala alta
This record describes Stictocephala alta (species). Recorded family: Membracidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
Habitus identical to Stictocephala bisonia . A highly ambiguous species. Described from a female specimen of unknown provenance; it matches the habitus of Stictocephala bisonia Kopp & Yonke, 1977 and was considered a senior synonym of the species by de Andrade (1997). However, this synonymy was rejected by Dietrich et al. (1999): We believe this synonymy is insufficiently justified in light of the need to examine the male genitalia to reliably identify many species of the tribe Ceresini. The holotype of Ceresa alta Walker is of ambiguous identity, being a female specimen from an unspecified locality. On the other hand, the identity of the male holotype of S. bisonia Kopp and Yonke is definitive, and this type is accompanied by 45 paratypes (males and females), all from Columbia, Missouri, USA. de Andrade (2008) revisited the issue and stated: although the synonymy of C. alta with S. bisonia stays unsolved, the placement of C. alta in Stictocephala is at least correct.
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
- Smiliinae
- Tribe
- Ceresini
- Genus
- Stictocephala
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Unknown, but treated as North American in distribution. Considered by de Andrade (1997, 2008) to be from the Eastern United States, but this cannot be realistically confirmed. Deitz & Wallace (2012) report the species from throughout the eastern U.S. and Canada. These records can likely be attributed to S. bisonia or other Ceresini.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Stictocephala alta (Walker, 1851)
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Stictocephala alta. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Stictocephala alta
What is Stictocephala alta?
Stictocephala alta is a species in the family Membracidae, within the order Hemiptera.
How do you identify Stictocephala alta?
Habitus identical to Stictocephala bisonia .
Where is Stictocephala alta found?
Range: Unknown, but treated as North American in distribution. Considered by de Andrade (1997, 2008) to be from the Eastern United States, but this cannot be realistically confirmed. Deitz & Wallace (2012) report the species from throughout the eastern U.S. and Canada. These records can likely be attributed to S. bisonia or other Ceresini.