East Stroudsburg University Professor of Biology Dr. Matthew Wallace recently published an extensive guide to treehoppers illustrated by spring 2025 graduate Adrianna Kaplinski, a dual major in environmental studies and integrated art + design.<\/p>\n
Published in April,\u202f\u201cThe Treehoppers of Pennsylvania and Guide to Common Species of the Eastern United States\u201d\u202fis a 135-page identification guide to the 116 treehopper species found in the eastern United States, as well as information on the species\u2019 systematics, biology, ecology and behavior.<\/p>\n
The text is a culmination of Wallace\u2019s work as one of the foremost experts on treehoppers, a small, sap-sucking insect commonly found on plants like oak trees. The insects are known for their unique and diverse shapes \u2013 used to blend into plant life and to elude predators \u2013 and interesting biological traits, qualities that piqued Dr. Wallace\u2019s interest as a young graduate student at North Carolina State University.<\/p>\n
\u201cI became fascinated with this group as my career went on,\u201d Dr. Wallace said. \u201cSo, it was always my goal to do some type of comprehensive field guide, because there hasn\u2019t been a truly authoritative guide published on these insects in North America.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Wallace said he had numerous objectives in developing\u202f\u201cThe Treehoppers of Pennsylvania and Guide to Common Species of the Eastern United States.\u201d He wanted a guide that identified the species, served as an up-to-date source of where particular treehoppers can be found in each of the state\u2019s 67 counties and throughout the eastern U.S., and summarized their function in nature.<\/p>\n
More importantly, he sought to inspire a new generation of treehopper enthusiasts.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn addition to butterflies and beetles, treehoppers are among the favorite insects of many collectors, but scores of common species elude all but the most dedicated observers of nature due to their small size, their brief period as adults, remarkable camouflage, and morphological complexity,\u201d Dr. Wallace wrote in text\u2019s introduction. \u201cUsers of this book should discover an entirely new world of nature to explore, right in their own backyards.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Wallace was able to secure funding for the text through the Pennsylvania Academy of Science\u2019s E. Willard and Ruby S. Miller Book Endowment Publication Fund. He did the majority of writing while on a year-long sabbatical in 2022.<\/p>\n
In developing the guide, Dr. Wallace recruited Kaplinski, whom he had as a student in his General Entomology course during the fall 2024 semester.<\/p>\n
Through an independent study coordinated by Darlene Farris-LaBar, professor of art + media + design and department chair, Kaplinski worked with Dr. Wallace on creating nearly a dozen treehopper illustrations for the text, in addition to its cover art.<\/p>\n
She began by carefully studying Dr. Wallace\u2019s extensive collection of treehopper samples under a microscope. Using a design app called Procreate, Kaplinski then imported photos of the samples she took under the microscope and began sketching them on her iPad in between classes and during other downtime she had away from her coursework.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d reference the photos next to my sketches to make sure I was getting the general shape correct, in addition to shadows, the face style, and the legs,\u201d Kaplinski said. \u201cIt was all very, very detailed and specific.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Wallace would meet regularly with Kaplinski to go over the sketches and offer feedback. In all, Kaplinski spent over 36 hours on her designs. The result was exactly what Dr. Wallace was looking for, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted the text to have that sort-of classic, traditional textbook look to it,\u201d he said. \u201cAdrianna was easy to work with and so talented, and she did an incredible job with that vision.\u201d<\/p>\n
Graduating with her illustrations featured in a published work was a major accomplishment \u2013 and a welcome surprise \u2013 for Kaplinski, who transferred to ESU from a larger school seeking just that type of opportunity.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was because of ESU\u2019s community that I was able to get this kind of chance for my career,\u201d she said. \u201cEveryone here really wants to help lift each other up and I\u2019m so grateful I was able to do this.\u201d<\/p>\n
With \u201cThe Treehoppers of Pennsylvania and Guide to Common Species of the Eastern United States\u201d\u202fpublished, Dr. Wallace said he feels like he has come full circle in his career.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got this huge challenge ahead and you\u2019re starting at a point where it feels like you\u2019ve got so much to do, and so to actually see this through and to be able to get Adrianna involved, I just feel so happy and grateful,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n