Homoptera - Membracidae

Treehoppers are plant suckers and are distinguished from other bugs by the spike- or shield-like processes that project from the pronotum, which gives them the bizarre looking body shape. Many species also have the pronotum extending forward so that they are horned. Some may mimic thorns on their host plant. On this particular specimen, you can clearly see three projections of the head.

They are small in size, under 10mm in body length. Adults and nymphs can be found together on stems and new shots of their host plants. They feed by sucking the sap of plants. They expel droplets of honeydew so are tended actively by ants. All of them jump when disturbed, so their name hoppers.

It is very unusual to find a treehopper with three projections. I have seen them in some books, but never (until now) for real. These projections have been modified to resemble some structural features of the plant upon which they

feed. Such modifications often resemble spines or thorns, and these usually match the number and shape of the spines on the plant host. Because these adornments often appear so awkward, these insects are sometimes called "grotesque-looking bugs."

If you are looking for the rare specimen, the unique specimen or the one you know that none of your friends have ever seen - this is it.

Very unique, very rare, very weird.

Here are 2 scanned images so you can see what the total piece looks like.

Image 1

Image 2

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