Bizarre Flower bugs (Flatida coccinea) in Madagascar

This surely was one of the weirdest and unexpected spottings we had in Madagascar. The white flower-like shapes on the bark of this tree seem indeed to be flowers, but only upon a closer inspection, when watching it for several seconds, you see individual flowers moving.

It turns out this is a troup of insects with flower-shaped attachments on their back, collectively creating the illusion of a flowering plant. Very odd, and unfortunately almost nothing is known about these fabulous creatures online.

comments (4)

Claire Hamilton

Lion

Absolutely incredible, how facinating! Posted 12 years ago

Ludo Sak

Lion

They would have tricked me any day of the year. Fascinating! Elven-like almost. Beautiful and very informative Ferdy! Posted 12 years ago

Ludo Sak

Lion

Ps. you had your polariser on the lens? Just curious, looks like a beautiful sky. Posted 12 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Yes I did, thanks. I only have one polarizer, it fits only on my kit lens. I have it permanently attached and often forget that I do :) Posted 12 years ago

The Madagascan Flatid Leaf-Bug

''Phromnia rosea'', the flower-spike bug or the flatid leaf bug, is a species of planthopper in the family Flatidae. It is found in dry, tropical forests in Madagascar, and the adult insects are gregarious, the groups orienting themselves in such a way that they resemble a flower spike.

Info 14 0

Similar species: True Bugs

Species identified by Ferdy Christant