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Thorn Treehopper

Umbonia crassicornis

Notes:

Umbonia crassicornis is a common and widespread member of the family Membracidae, and one of numerous species colloquially referred to as thorn bugs. The body length of the adult is approximately 10 millimetres (0.39 in). This is a variable species as to size, color and structure, particularly the pronotal horn of males (which is more angled posteriorly than the females' and often somewhat expanded apically). This tall, essentially perpendicular thorn-like pronotum discourages birds and other predators from eating it, if only by mistakenly confusing it with a thorn.

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10 Comments

Toucan
Toucan 11 years ago

Thank you, Karen!

KarenL
KarenL 11 years ago

Great spot Toucan!

Toucan
Toucan 11 years ago

Thanks! They were in the middle of a forest, and at first we thought they were actually thorns!

MayraSpringmann
MayraSpringmann 11 years ago

Wow! Fascinating!

Toucan
Toucan 11 years ago

Thank you, Yuko and Leanne!

LeanneGardner
LeanneGardner 11 years ago

These are amazing!

YukoChartraw
YukoChartraw 11 years ago

Gotta love those thorn treehoppers! :-)

Toucan
Toucan 11 years ago

Thank you, Argy Bee! =)

Mark Ridgway
Mark Ridgway 11 years ago

Fantastic.

Toucan
Toucan 11 years ago

Thanks or the suggestion, Bayucca!

Toucan
Spotted by
Toucan

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Spotted on Jan 15, 2013
Submitted on Jan 15, 2013

Spotted for Mission

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