Aetalionidae are somewhat like Membracidae in that they have one to three rows of short spines on the hind tibia but differ in having the front femur fused to the trochanter and the scutellum is completely exposed.

The subfamily Biturritiinae is Neotropical while the subfamily Aetalioninae has a Neotropical genus Aetalion and the sole Old World representative genus Darthula with a single species Darthula hardwickii (which is eaten in parts of China and India[2]).

Aetalionidae Membracidae Cicadellidae Melizoderidae Myerslopiidae They form aggregations on the branches of trees where they produce honeydew and are associated with ants and stingless bees.

[4] Aetalionid treehoppers are also known for their maternal care with females standing guard over their eggs.

This Hemiptera article related to members of the insect suborder Auchenorrhyncha is a stub.