treehoppers
Sap-sucking hopping bugs
Treehoppers are small plant-feeding insects known for the elaborate, often bizarre structures extending from their backs—horns, spines, or helmet-like projections that may resemble thorns, ants, or bird droppings.
These protrusions likely serve as camouflage or defense.
Treehoppers feed by piercing plant stems to extract sap, and some species are attended by ants that harvest their sugary excretions.
Sensory appendages on insects
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- thoraxCentral body cavity
- abdomenTorso's lower cavity
- nymphNature spirit or larva
instar · molting · ovipositor · proboscis · sap-sucking · spiracles · tarsi · compound eyes
Plant sugar-transport tissue
- xylemPlant water conduit
- host plantOrganism harboring another species
- honeydewGreen-fleshed muskmelon variety
- mutualismTwo-way biological benefit
ants · tending · symbiosis · predators · niche · arboreal · herbivory · plant damage
Pointed plant projection
- antSmall colonial insect
- waspNarrow-bodied stinging insect
- leafPlant's photosynthetic organ
- twigSlender woody shoot
fungus · camouflage · disguise · cryptic · deceptive · protective · warning · concealment
Protective head covering
- hornPointed animal headgear
- spineColumn of vertebrae
- ornamentThing that beautifies
- sculpturedShaped into artistic form
bizarre · elaborate · crest · projection · appendage · dorsal · elongated · curved
Rapid oscillating movement
- signalsConveyed indications
- courtshipSeeking another's romantic favor
- mating callsAnimal courtship vocalizations
- frequencyRate of recurrence
drumming · acoustic · territorial · alarm · social
antennae
Sensory appendages on insects
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- thoraxCentral body cavity
- abdomenTorso's lower cavity
nymph · instar · molting · ovipositor · proboscis · sap-sucking · spiracles · tarsi · compound eyes · segmented
phloem
Plant sugar-transport tissue
- xylemPlant water conduit
- host plantOrganism harboring another species
- honeydewGreen-fleshed muskmelon variety
mutualism · ants · tending · symbiosis · predators · niche · arboreal · herbivory · plant damage · agricultural pest
thorn
Pointed plant projection
twig · fungus · camouflage · disguise · cryptic · deceptive · protective · warning · concealment · blend
helmet
Protective head covering
sculptured · bizarre · elaborate · crest · projection · appendage · dorsal · elongated · curved · pointed
vibration
Rapid oscillating movement
- signalsConveyed indications
- courtshipSeeking another's romantic favor
- mating callsAnimal courtship vocalizations
frequency · drumming · acoustic · territorial · alarm · social
treehoppersleafhoppers
Small jumping plant insects
grasshoppers · planthoppers · aquatic insects · cicadas · froghoppers