Ant-attended Treehopper vs Columbian Flower Planthopper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Ant-attended Treehopper Columbian Flower Planthopper
Scientific Name Publilia concava Poekilloptera phalaenoides
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Membracidae Flatidae
Size 4-6 mm 15-20 mm
Habitat Grasslands Farmland
Diet Predators Sap Feeders
Regions Eastern North America Central America, South America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Ant-attended Treehopper

A small North American treehopper commonly tended by ants that harvest its honeydew secretions. In return, attending ants protect it from predators and parasitoids.

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Did You Know?

Studies show that ant-tended colonies have significantly higher survival rates than untended ones, proving the mutualism is real.

Columbian Flower Planthopper

A large and spectacular flatid with broad white wings marked with black spots, closely resembling a moth. Groups of nymphs produce masses of white waxy filaments on branches.

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Did You Know?

Clusters of waxy-coated nymphs on a branch can look like a fungal growth or cotton mass, providing effective communal camouflage.