Identification
A small treehopper, about 1/4 inch (6 mm) long with pronounced humps on the shield covering the top of the insect. There are many treehoppers that look similar but the position and inclination of the largest hump helps to identify this one to species. Other identifying characters are the color pattern on the shield and the light wing with dark spots at the tip.
Heliria scalaris lives in fruit trees. It is one of few treehoppers that inhabits apple trees. Like other treehoppers, it takes nourishment from its host plant through a siphon inserted into soft plant tissue. It can be found from mid- to late-summer. Nymphs live on the same host plant and obtain their food in the same manner as adults. The individual shown in the photos was attracted to moth lighting.
There are 13 species in the genus Heliria, mostly in the eastern U.S. and Canada.
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