If you’re out in the heat of summer and spot what looks like a weird thorn doing gymnastics on a plant stem…take a closer look. That’s no thorn. It might be a treehopper; one of nature’s strangest little bugs, complete with headgear that would make a Viking jealous.
What’s a Treehopper?
Treehoppers are part of the Membracidae family, a group of small, plant-sucking insects related to cicadas and leafhoppers. They’re usually no bigger than a grain of rice, but they more than make up for it with their wildly extravagant pronotum, a part of the thorax that’s evolved into everything from horns and spines to full-blown helmets shaped like ants, thorns, and UFOs.
What’s the Deal with the Weird Headgear?
Treehoppers use their outlandish body shapes as a form of camouflage and mimicry. Some look like thorns to avoid birds, while others mimic ants or wasps to avoid predators. In some species, the exact function of their crazy shapes is still a mystery. Scientists are still scratching their heads right along with the rest of us!
Fun Fact: Communicators of the Canopy
Treehoppers may be strange, but they’re also social. They “talk” by sending vibrations through plant stems, tiny drumming signals used to attract mates or warn of danger. Some even co-parent with ants: in exchange for sugary sap, ants protect treehopper nymphs from harm. It’s the summer’s strangest babysitting arrangement.
Where to Spot Them
Treehoppers love the heat of summer and can often be found on trees, shrubs, and garden plants, especially along stems or leaf veins. They’re most abundant in warm climates but can be found almost everywhere, if you look closely enough.
Why They’re Cool
With their bonkers shapes, stealthy communication, and unexpected partnerships, treehoppers are like the strange little sci-fi characters hiding in plain sight all summer long. They’re proof that even the tiniest bugs are full of surprises.