In this study, we newly sequenced and analyzed the complete mitochondrial genomes of five genera and six species in Gargarini: Antialcidas floripennae, Centrotoscelus davidi, Kotogargara minuta, Machaerotypus stigmosus, Tricentrus fulgidus, and Tricentrus gammamaculatus. The mitochondrial genomes contain 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and a control region. The lengths of the mitochondrial genomes are 15,253 bp to 15,812 bp, and the AT contents of the obtained mitogenomes indicate a strong AT bias, ranging from 75.8% to 78.5%. The start codons of all PCGs show that most start with a typical ATN (ATA/T/G/C) codon and less start with T/GTG; the stop codon TAA is frequently used, and TAG and a single T are less used. In Gargarini mitogenomes, all tRNA genes can be folded into the canonical cloverleaf secondary structure, except for trnaS1, which lacks a stable dihydrouridine (DHU) stem and is replaced by a simple loop. At the same time, the phylogenetic analysis of the tribe Gargarini based on sequence data of 13 PCGs from 18 treehopper species and four outgroups revealed that the 10 Gargarini species form a steady group with strong support and form a sister group with Leptocentrini, Hypsauchenini, Centrotini, and Leptobelini. Diversification within Gargarini is distinguished by a Later Cretaceous divergence that led to the rapid diversification of the species. Moreover, the ancestral state reconstructions analysis showed the absence of the suprahumeral horn, which was confirmed as the ancestor characteristic of the treehopper, which has evolved from simple to complex. Our results shed new light specifically on the molecular and phylogenetic evolution of the pronotum in Gargarini.

Adult males are described and illustrated for the first time for four Chinese species of the treehopper genus Tricentrus previously known only from females: T. albipennis Kato, 1930, T. floripinnae Yuan & Cui, 1987, T. foliocornatus, Yuan & Fan, 2002 and T. oedothorectoidis Yuan & Fan, 2002.

Two new species of the treehopper genus Machaerotypus Uhler, 1896, M. stigmosus Li & Chen sp. nov. and M. nodulus Li & Chen sp. nov., are described and illustrated from Guizhou Province, China. A checklist and key to species of Machaerotypus are provided with a map of geographic distribution.

The five valid and two invalid species of the treehopper genus Indicopleustes Distant, 1908 (Hemiptera: Membracidae: Centrotinae), distributed across China, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia, are reviewed and revised based on the study of types and newly collected specimens. A new species from Hainan Province, China, I. zizhongi Li, Chen & Yang, sp. nov., is described and illustrated. Two previously invalid species, I. hainanensis Yuan, 2002 and I. yunnanensis Yuan, 2002, are redescribed and reinstated to valid status. Thus, the number of recognized species in the genus is raised to eight. A checklist and a key to the known species of Indicopleustes, supplemented by habitus photographs of adults, are provided.

The treehopper genus Tricentrus is a widespread group of insects, characterized by typical spines and, in some species, sexually dimorphic suprahumeral horns. With 238 described species worldwide, Tricentrus represents the most species-rich genus in the subfamily Centrotinae. Currently, 72 species are documented in China, yet the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history of this genus remain unknown. Here, we use an integrative approach to characterize and describe these treehoppers based on materials collected from China. We name three new species: Tricentrus allochrous Li & Chen sp. nov . and Tricentrus pianmaensis Li & Chen sp. nov . from Yunnan, Tricentrus dexingensis Li & Chen sp. nov . from Xizang, with the revision of one synonym. Combined analysis morphological comparisons, species delimitation and phylogeny reliably separate these new species from known species, and sexual dimorphism with suprahumeral horns in three species is reported for the first time. Divergence time estimation indicates that the Tricentrus differentiated during the Early Cretaceous (110.41 Mya). Ancestral state reconstruction reveals that the most recent common ancestor possessed suprahumeral horns in both sexes and exhibited a short tubular pygofer apex. Our analyses demonstrate four evolutionary transformations in pygofer apex morphology and seven distinct transitions in suprahumeral horn development. These morphological diversifications likely resulted from multiple mechanisms, including sexual selection, life history strategies with associated behavioral adaptations, and incomplete lineage sorting.

A review of the genus Elaphiceps Buckton, 1903 (Hemiptera, Membracidae, Centrotinae) is presented. The genus comprises four species— E. brachyspinus , E. cervus , E. neocervus , and E. javanensis —a diagnosis, illustrations of the habitus, and the geographic distribution is provided for each. A diagnostic key is provided, and the male of E. brachyspinus is described for the first time.