JungleDragon is a nature and wildlife community for photographers, travellers and anyone who loves nature. We're genuine, free, ad-free and beautiful.

Join

Treehopper (Publilia concava) Being Tended By an Ant Treehoppers are often tended by ants as part of a mutualistic relationship. Treehoppers secrete honeydew, which is made mostly from excess plant sap that they consume. Ants &quot;farm&quot; the treehoppers for their honeydew. To do this, an ant grasps a treehopper and strokes it with its antennae. This causes a droplet of honeydew to appear at the tip of the treehopper&rsquo;s abdomen, which the ant then consumes. Both insects benefit from this mutualistic relationship: The ants get honeydew, and in return, they protect the treehoppers from predators.<br />
<br />
Habitat: Rural garden; the tan things below the treehopper are eggs. I&#039;m not sure if they&#039;ve hatched yet, but don&#039;t think so.<br />
<br />
<section class="video"><iframe width="448" height="252" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/354887322?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" frameborder="0"></iframe></section> Geotagged,Publilia concava,Spring,United States,ant,mutualism,publilia,treehopper Click/tap to enlarge Promoted

Treehopper (Publilia concava) Being Tended By an Ant

Treehoppers are often tended by ants as part of a mutualistic relationship. Treehoppers secrete honeydew, which is made mostly from excess plant sap that they consume. Ants "farm" the treehoppers for their honeydew. To do this, an ant grasps a treehopper and strokes it with its antennae. This causes a droplet of honeydew to appear at the tip of the treehopper’s abdomen, which the ant then consumes. Both insects benefit from this mutualistic relationship: The ants get honeydew, and in return, they protect the treehoppers from predators.

Habitat: Rural garden; the tan things below the treehopper are eggs. I'm not sure if they've hatched yet, but don't think so.

Sign in or Join in order to comment.

Publilia concava (Say) treehoppers belong to Membracidae family.

Similar species: True Bugs
Species identified by Christine Young
View Christine Young's profile

By Christine Young

All rights reserved
Uploaded Aug 7, 2019. Captured Jun 4, 2019 09:46 in 91 Main St, Sharon, CT 06069, USA.
  • Canon EOS 80D
  • f/13.0
  • 1/256s
  • ISO400
  • 100mm