Auchenorrhyncha

The suborder Auchenorrhyncha is a group of insects within the order Homoptera. These insects are characterized by their beaks, which arise from the anteroventral part of the face and are not covered by propleura. They typically have antennae with one to three basal segments and a terminal seta. Their forewings are held rooflike when at rest, and they possess a filter chamber in their digestive system. All males in this suborder apparently produce sound, often using a complex tymbal organ, which is a circular membrane on the first abdominal segment that vibrates when muscles contract and relax. This sound production is common among leafhoppers, treehoppers, planthoppers, and spittlebugs, though their songs may require amplification to be heard by humans.12

Key families within Auchenorrhyncha include Cicadidae (cicadas), Membracidae (treehoppers), Cercopidae (froghoppers/spittlebugs), and Cicadellidae (leafhoppers).2