Temporal segregation in North American desert Membracidae

Three species of Membracidae (Homoptera) have been found to coexist on the creosote bush, Larrea tridentata in the Mojave Desert. The insects are monophagous, univoltine and appear to avoid direct competition by temporal segregation. Multareis cornutus overwinters as slow growing nymphs and the adult population peaks in March. Centrodontus atlas overwinters in the egg stage with rapidly growing nymphs appearing in March while the adult population peaks in June. Multareoides bifurcatus overwinters as adults with the adult population peak in July. Nymphs occur in May-June. The various species have evolved cryptic form and coloration which is associated with phenology of the host plant. It is postulated that this has contributed to the evolution of temporal segregation.