Buffalo Treehopper vs Shield Bug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Buffalo Treehopper Shield Bug
Scientific Name Stictocephala bisonia Palomena prasina
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Membracidae Pentatomidae
Size 6-8 mm 12-14 mm
Habitat Orchards Underground
Diet Fruit Feeders Sap Feeders
Regions North America, Europe Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Buffalo Treehopper

A small, bright green treehopper with a distinctive triangular pronotum that makes it resemble a miniature American bison when viewed from above. It is a minor pest of fruit trees.

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Did You Know?

The buffalo treehopper communicates with others by sending substrate-borne vibrations through plant stems, essentially using the plant itself as a telephone line.

Shield Bug

Also called stink bugs for the foul-smelling liquid they release when disturbed. Changes color from bright green in summer to bronze-brown before overwintering.

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Did You Know?

Shield bugs can change color with the seasons — they produce green pigment in summer for leaf camouflage and switch to brown in autumn as leaves change.