As adults, treehoppers are not particularly vulnerable. They are protected, and sometimes camouflaged, by hard,
helmet-like coverings. True to their "hopper" name, they are also capable of launching themselves away from approaching danger. However, as eggs and nymphs, treehoppers are less self-sufficient. In order to increase the safety of their offspring, females of the species
Publilia concava remain with their eggs after laying them.
 |
| A treehopper (Publilia concava) and her eggs, which are embedded in a late goldenrod (Solidago altissima) leaf vein. |
By standing over their eggs, the treehoppers can not only guard the eggs, but also recruit additional protection -- in the form of ants. In fact, the treehoppers do not simply wait for ants to find them; the presence of ants is an important factor in the females' choice of where to lay their eggs.
 |
| European fire ants (Myrmica rubra) tending the treehopper. |
Like many other insects that feed on sap, this treehopper excretes excess sap as a sugary "honeydew" that is collected by ants to feed their colonies. Importantly for the honeydew producers, the ants will also
aggressively defend their food source.
 |
| Field ants (Formica sp.) tending treehopper (Publilia concava) adults and nymphs on a roadside goldenrod. |
Explore some more:
Ant-dependent oviposition in the membracid Publilia concava
No comments:
Post a Comment