Scarlet Net-Winged Beetle vs Ant-Mimicking Treehopper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Scarlet Net-Winged Beetle Ant-Mimicking Treehopper
Scientific Name Plateros brasiliensis Cyphonia clavata
Order Coleoptera Hemiptera
Family Lycidae Membracidae
Size 8-14 mm 6-9 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Fungus Feeders Predators
Regions South America Central America, South America
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Scarlet Net-Winged Beetle

A bright red lycid beetle found in the Atlantic Forest region of Brazil. Its vivid coloration is part of a large mimicry complex involving multiple insect orders.

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Did You Know?

The genus Plateros is one of the most species-rich lycid genera, with over 1,000 described species worldwide.

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.