Species Insects & ArthropodsThorn Treehopper

Thorn Treehopper

Umbonia crassicornis

UncommonInsect & Arthropod
Illustration of Thorn Treehopper (Umbonia crassicornis)

The Thorn Treehopper (Umbonia crassicornis) has a spectacular spine-like pronotum that makes it virtually indistinguishable from a plant thorn when sitting on a stem. Females guard their egg masses and young nymphs, vibrating vigorously to warn them of predators — a sophisticated form of parental communication. Males signal to females through plant-borne vibrations.

Habitat
Tropical and subtropical shrublands and forest edges in the South
Diet
Adults and nymphs: plant sap from woody shrubs and trees
How common
Uncommon

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