Sunflower Treehopper vs Woolly Hackberry Aphid
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Sunflower Treehopper | Woolly Hackberry Aphid |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Heliria cristata | Shivaphis celti |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Membracidae | Aphididae |
| Size | 5-8 mm | 1-2 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | North America | East Asia, introduced to North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Sunflower Treehopper
A small brown treehopper with a tall dorsal crest on its pronotum that gives it a distinctive high-backed silhouette. It is commonly found on sunflowers and other composites.
Did You Know?
Its high pronotal crest may serve as a thermoregulatory surface, helping to dissipate heat while the insect feeds in exposed sunny locations.
Woolly Hackberry Aphid
A waxy-white social aphid that feeds on hackberry trees and is notable for its cooperative colony defense. Large groups coordinate to kick and push predators off leaf surfaces.
Did You Know?
They produce copious white waxy filaments that can accumulate like snow under heavily infested hackberry trees.