Ant-attended Treehopper vs Dock Bug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Ant-attended Treehopper Dock Bug
Scientific Name Publilia concava Coreus marginatus
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Membracidae Coreidae
Size 4-6 mm 12-15 mm
Habitat Grasslands Grasslands
Diet Predators Sap Feeders
Regions Eastern North America Europe, Western Asia
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.

Dock Bug

A common European squash bug relative that feeds on dock and sorrel plants. It has a distinctively wide, flattened abdomen with expanded margins.

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Did You Know?

When handled, it releases a scent that many people describe as smelling distinctly like green apples.