What is Cyphonia clavata?

This treehopper looks more like an ant than the flying insect it is. Its costume, called a “helmet,” grows out of its upper back. Treehoppers are masters of disguise – they might look like a leaf, a thorn, a twig, or bark. Some, like this ant lookalike, deter predators by mimicking other dangerous creatures.

What unique feature does the Cyphonia Clavata have?

That’s not an ant perched on top of another bug—that’s a species of treehopper called the Cyphonia clavata, which has adapted to grow a realistic ant-shaped protrusion on its back.

Where do Cyphonia clavata live?

The Cyphonia Clavata lives mainly in the rainforests of South America, parts of Mexico and Costa Rica.

How did treehoppers get their helmets?

Tiny insects called treehoppers sport some very odd helmets. Now, researchers have found the insects developed this headgear by reactivating and repurposing their wing-making machinery. Researchers hypothesize that the treehoppers, which emerged on Earth about 40 million years ago, use their headgear for camouflage.

Why does the Treehopper appears to look like an ant?

What looks like an ant here is actually extension growths on its body – which most other insect species are incapable of creating. In this way, the ant-mimicking treehopper (which can be found in in Middle and South America) has, in fact, got this right too.

What are some different ways that animals use mimicry to keep themselves safe?

If you can’t run and you can’t hide, what could you do to stay safe? Some animals try tricking predators. These animal copycats mimic other animals (called models) to fool their predators. Most often the mimics make predators believe that they are an animal the predator fears or does not like to eat.

What animal has the coolest adaptation?

Here are seven animals that have adapted in some crazy ways in order to survive in their habitats.

Wood frogs freeze their bodies.
Kangaroo rats survive without ever drinking water.
Antarctic fish have “antifreeze” proteins in their blood.
African bullfrogs create mucus “homes” to survive the dry season.

What traits help animals survive?

Many animals have developed specific parts of the body adapted to survival in a certain environment. Among them are webbed feet, sharp claws, whiskers, sharp teeth, large beaks, wings, and hooves. In most aquatic animals, swimming is a must. To aid swimming, many animals have adapted and evolved with webbed feet.

How does it mimic the characteristics of ants?

To simulate ants’ powerful defences, mimics may imitate ants chemically with ant-like pheromones, visually (as in Batesian mimicry), or by imitating an ant’s surface microstructure for tactile mimicry.

Are treehoppers harmful?

Are treehoppers harmful to humans? In general, no, but be careful walking around bare-footed in areas where spiny species like Umbonia crassicornis occur!