Use of alternative food plants exclusively by adult male froghoppers (Homoptera : Cercopidae)

Male-specific associations of adult froghoppers (Homoptera: Cercopidae) wit h alternative food plane hosts is reported. Four accounts from the field an d one from the literature are presented: Iphirhina quota on Boirreria costa ricensis (Boraginaceae), Huaina inca on Solanaceae sp., Prosapia simulans a nd Prosapia sp. (near P. bicincta) on Ilex haberi (Aquifoliaceae), and Pros apia bicincta on Ilex cornuta and Ilex opaca. In three cases host use is li mited to adults while in two cases use is limited to only adult males. In f our cases adults feed on plants that differ taxonomically, structurally and ecologically from hosts normally utilized by all life stages. These associ ations are not considered aggregations per se because froghoppers are not c lustered and because these associations cannot be explained by the usual cr iteria supporting the adaptiveness of insect aggregations. Indirect evidenc e suggests that these unusual hosts may be unavailable to nymphs and not so ught by females. This passive lack of opportunity by nymphs and females, in tandem with an active selection/attraction by males, is a plausible explan ation for the existence of male-specific hosts.