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ALIEN

I've always been aware of the fact that insects can assume rather peculiar appearances, but this one take the cake. That is, until I come across something even more unusual.

 

The insect in question is a weird-looking brown creepy-crawly, belonging to the Membracidae family, commonly known as the treehopper. What sets it apart is the way is pronotum, which is the protective plate at the front of their thorax, extends upward and over their body. In certain species, the pronotum takes on the appearance of a thorn, earning them the nickname "thorn bugs." However, in other species, it assumes even more eccentric shapes.

 

Treehoppers can be spotted on various tree species, with a preference for young trees and perennial weeds. They are relatively small, measuring under 10mm in body length, and both adults and nymphs can often be found in groups on the stems and new growth of their host plants. These peculiar insects possess mouthparts equipped with two sharp tubes—one for injecting saliva to prevent the tree's defenses from sealing up the puncture and the other for sucking.

 

What truly makes them unique is their natural instinct to jump when disturbed, which explains their common name: treehoppers.

 

I have several lateral shots, but loved this full frontal of its questioning gaze.

 

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Uploaded on September 20, 2023
Taken on September 12, 2023