Ant-Mimicking Treehopper vs Pacific Spiketail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Ant-Mimicking Treehopper Pacific Spiketail
Scientific Name Cyphonia clavata Cordulegaster dorsalis
Order Hemiptera Odonata
Family Membracidae Cordulegastridae
Size 6-9 mm 65-75 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Predators Omnivores
Regions Central America, South America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Ant-Mimicking Treehopper

A treehopper with a pronotal projection shaped like an ant sitting on its back. The ant mimic is thought to deter predators from attacking.

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Did You Know?

The "ant" on its back is actually a hollow extension of its pronotum viewed from certain angles.

Pacific Spiketail

The only spiketail dragonfly on the Pacific coast of North America. It has a dark brown body with yellow dorsal spots and patrols shaded forest seepages.

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Did You Know?

It is the only spiketail species found west of the Rocky Mountains in North America.