These are two lesser known families of the Cercopoidea.

Aphrophoridae, like Cercopidae produce a mass of spittle to protect the nymphs. However, Machaerotidae are unique in that their nymphs live in liquid encased in tubes attached to their host plant.

Machaerotidae are often confused with Membracidae. The difference is that the horn like protuberences originate from the scutellum in Machaerotidae, but from the pronotum in the Membracidae.

Very little is known about these insects and many remain undescribed.