Treehopper Pronotal Abscission

Description:

While photographing one of my favorite Treehoppers, I began to see some that were missing the front portion of their pronotal ornamenture. It didn't seem to affect their behavior or feeding. I put some in a cage with a plant and sure enough the next day one had broken off it's horn. Whether it happens in a battle or by self amputation, I don't know yet. There seems to be a weak seam on the horn that breaks easily, as all were broken in the exact same place.

Habitat:

Heavy shrubbery along the highway between San Cristobal de Las Casas and Tuxtla Gutierrez, km 11.5, 865 meters.