David Element
Wildlife
Photography and Digital Video Images
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Bugs
48 – Horned Treehoppers
HORNED TREEHOPPER Centrotus
cornutus
HORNED TREEHOPPER Centrotus
cornutus
HORNED TREEHOPPER Centrotus
cornutus
HORNED TREEHOPPER Centrotus
cornutus
HORNED TREEHOPPER Centrotus
cornutus
HORNED TREEHOPPER Centrotus
cornutus
HORNED TREEHOPPER Centrotus
cornutus, BLACK ANT Lasius
sp.
HORNED
TREEHOPPER Centrotus
cornutus,
RED ANT Myrmica sabuleti
·
The Horned Treehopper Centrotus cornutus is easily recognisable
because of the two very realistic rose thorn-like projections on the pronotum.
However, because this homopteran plant bug uses its camouflage very effectively
to help it disappear against a background of tree bark it may not be easy to
find. These photographs include strong evidence of ant-association
(myrmecophily) with at least two different species of ants, the red ant Myrmeca sabuleti (a
species equipped with a sting) and a black ant
(presumed Lasius sp.)
that it has not been possible to identify unequivocally from the photographs.
Note that M. sabuleti also has well-studied symbiotic
associations with the larvae of certain species of Lycaenid (Blue)
butterflies. Such relationships between ants and
other insects are usually mutually beneficial. The bug is likely to have
converted some of its food into a sugary secretion that the ants can feed on
and in return for this energy-supply the ants may afford protection against
predatory insects.
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