Oak Treehoppers

red striped moth or beetle?
Mon, Apr 13, 2009 at 2:29 PM
We saw these on our oak tree Easter morning. There are probably about 50 or so on this little branch (the branch is about as big around as a pencil). They look like some type of beetle or moth and are pretty slow moving. None of them flew off and only repositioned themselved when I touched them with a leaf. Do you know what they are?
Angie
Jacksonville, FL

Oak Treehoppers

Hi Angie,
You have Oak Treehoppers.  Platycotis vittata.  This is a variable species.  Some are striped and some not.  Some have a horn and some do not.  The species, according to BugGuide, does almost no damage to trees, and “Females seem to exhibit protective behavior, keeping predators away from the young. “

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