Buffalo treehopper

This species is native to North America, but now it is widespread throughout southern Europe and it is also present in the Near East and in North Africa. Also recently reported from vineyards of Kashmir, India ==Appearance==

Buffalo treehoppers are a bright green color and have a somewhat triangular shape that helps camouflage them so as to resemble thorns or a twiggy protuberance. It gets its name from the vague resemblance of its profile to that of an American bison. They grow to 6 to 8 millimeters (0.24 to 0.31 in) long and have transparent wings. (MHNT) Stictocephala bisonia.jpg|Stictocephala bisonia Side view (MHNT) Stictocephala bisonia - Face.jpg| Front view (MHNT) Stictocephala bisonia - dorsal.jpg|Dorsal view ==Life cycle==

S. bisonia mates during the summer months. Females lay eggs from July to October using a blade-like ovipositor. Up to a dozen eggs are laid in each slit made by the female. Nymphs emerge from the eggs the following May or June. The nymphs, which resemble wingless adults, but have a more spiny appearance, descend from the trees where they hatched to feed on grasses, weeds, and other nonwoody plants. They molt several times in the following month and a half until they have reached adulthood. Then they return to the trees to continue their life cycle. ==Feeding==

Both adult and immature buffalo treehoppers feed upon sap using specialized mouthparts suited for this purpose. Black locust, clover, elm, goldenrod, and willow are among their favorite food sources. It is also an occasional pest of fruit trees and is harmful to young orchard trees, especially apple trees. It has become an invasive species in some parts of Europe. ==Bibliography==