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Treehopper, Cladonota sp., Membracidae

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This Treehopper from the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador is from the genus Cladonota in the family Membracidae. It is only 6 mm in length. Treehoppers are insects related to cicadas and leafhoppers. Most treehoppers have a highly modified pronotum on the back, in this case forming a porous structure resembling a coral skeleton. The Treehopper probes the leaf with its rostrum for sap which is rich in sugar. The white coating is mold which has infested the Treehopper.

 

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Uploaded on February 10, 2019
Taken on July 3, 2018