Facts, Information, Scientific Name of Brazilian Treehopper
On wide habitats of the jungle, cicada-sized insects hop on the top of the trees, with a camouflage of Balls on their heads.
Scientific name – Bocydium globulare.
Type – Insect
Size – 5.6 mm
Habitat & Distribution
This insect flies on the peak of the trees that grow in tropical rainforests in the countries of Africa, North and South America, Asia, Australia, and many widespread regions of the world.
The Defensive Globular appearance
A cicada-like insect with Brown, Black and white-brown colouration has six legs and long membranous wings.
The Head of this insect has developed ball-like extension which resemble the Fungus name Ophiocordyceps unilateralis. This fungus conquers the bodies of ants, grow within them and bursts out giving them a similar appearance to the globular appendages of Treehopper shead.
Hence this insect is saved from predators because of this fungus-like armoured appearance.
They have the long Proboscis. A tube which is a mouth part of an insect is used to suck the sap inside the leaves. The sap of leavesis the food of Brazilian Tree Hoppers.
Brazilian treehoppers also have a protective mate, an Ant. Because the digested sap in the insect produces the ‘Honeydew’ substance that ants feed on.
These insects communicate through vibrations. This vibrating call is to reach out when discovered a feeding spot or as an alarm for danger.
Mating and Development
After mating, the female lays eggs on the plant’s surface. She also pierces a hole in the leaf stem and lay the eggs in it. This strategy is used to benefit the nymphs which can directly emerge on the Tree sap and feed on it.
Hemimetabulous Development
The development consists of an Egg and a Nymph hatching directly out of the Egg. The nymph is the small-looking Adult. After the nymph is developed, this stage is called an ‘Imago’. Imago is the Latin name for the image.
There is no pupa stage in this kind of development.
A female lookout for her Nymphs and protect them.
Despite their defensive appearance, Brazilian Treehoppers can be the victim to the predators like Birds, Rodents, Reptiles and other large insects.
Also See ⇒ Beetle Facts