What is auchenorrhyncha?
Auchenorrhyncha (Homoptera) includes insects such as cicadas, leafhoppers, spittlebugs and treehoppers etc. Some insects have economic importance as agricultural pests. The insects have notable variation in their morphology and ecology. For example, treehoppers (membracidae) have variously shaped prothorax. Spittlebugs (Aphrophoridae) live in spittle like foam mass made of their excrements. Nymphs of small species are often attended by ants.


How many species are there in Japan ?
Approximately 800 species have been known from all over Japan so far. More species may be added to the list as the study progresses. Around 200 species have been recorded from Tochigi Prefecture where is situated in central Honshu.


Images
Images are based on photographs taken mainly in Tochigi prefecture. Not all are in situ state in the field. Some photographs are taken setting the insects at a suitable position by hand, others are under rearing circumstances. In those cases, it is written in the colum under the picture. A few pictures have been retouched without notice. All images are compressed the size at about 10% of the original file in order to shorten download time. If you have broadband connection, please see larger image and compare with the image in main page, it still is about a third of the original size.


Page structure
See the list first. Specific name with button is showing the species exhibited in this site. Eventually all species in the list will be on the site. Number of species in the list may be subject to increase.


Specific names and taxonomic arrangement
Specific names and taxonomic arrangement is basically in accordance with "A Check List of Japanese Insects" edited by Kyushu University (1989).


Request from the author
The author is just a beginner in auchenorrhyncha. Any advice or information on the insects and their host plant will be appreciated.