Treehoppers (Homoptera, Membracidae) in southeastern Brazil: use of host plants

A survey on the use of host plants by treehoppers in plants in cerrado (savanna) vegetation at Moji-Guaçu (São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil) was made. Fifty-two species of treehoppers were recorded in association with 40 host plant species from October 1980 to February 1982. The families Araliaceae, Asteraceae, Leguminosae, Malpighiaceae, Myrtaceae and Nyctaginaceae were the most commonly used for oviposition. Byrsonima intermedia A. Juss. (Malpighiaceae) had the highest number of associated treehopper species (10 species). The abundance of treehopper individuals was related to the hot and rainy season (from October to February), while during the cold and dry season (from March to September) there was a decrease in the number of these Homoptera. After the occurrence of a frost, few adults and nymphs were observed on the host plants for one to two months