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Treehopper


Treehopper
Photo Information
Copyright: Foozi Saad (foozi) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2791 W: 0 N: 6696] (25839)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2011-10-22
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon D90, Sigma 105mm F2.8 DG macro
Exposure: f/16, 1/30 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2011-11-23 0:23
Viewed: 2683
Points: 46
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Treehoppers (more precisely typical treehoppers to distinguish them from the Aetalionidae) and thorn bugs are members of the family Membracidae, a group of insects related to the cicadas and the leafhoppers. There are about 3,200 known species of treehoppers in over 600 genera. They are found on all continents except Antarctica, although there are only three species in Europe.

They are best known for their enlarged and ornate pronotum, which most often resembles thorns, apparently to aid camouflage. But in some species, the pronotum grows to a horn-like extension, and even more bizarre and hard-to-describe shapes are also found.

Thorn bugs, due to their unusual appearance, have long interested naturalists. There is no way to tell the male and females apart other than looking at the male genitalia. Individual treehoppers usually live for only a few months, but they belong to a lineage that is at least 40 million years old.

A team from the Institute of Developmental Biology of Marseille-Luminy in 2011 provide good evidence that the specialised pronotum (or helmet) is not simply an expansion of the prothoracic sclerite, but a fused pair of dorsal appendages of the first thoracic segment, serial homologues of insect wings, which are dorsal appendages of the second and/or third thoracic segments. (anatomical evidence: The helmet arises as a pair of appendages, attached to each side of the dorsal prothorax by an articulation, with muscles and flexible membrane that allow it to be mobile. Genetic evidence: the same genes are involved in development of the helmet and wings.
Treehoppers pierce plant stems with their beaks, and feed upon sap. The immatures can frequently be found on herbaceous shrubs and grasses, whereas the adults more often frequent hardwood tree species. Excess sap becomes concentrated as honeydew, which often attracts ants. Some species have a well-developed ant mutualism, and these species are normally gregarious as well, which attracts more ants. The ants provide protection from predators.

From : Wikipedia
cobra112, drchoneydew, pegos, KOMSIS, maaciejka, pierrefonds, CeltickRanger has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

hello Foozi, what a great macro scene, this is very interesting insect, your performance is excellent!
regards Nasos

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2011-11-23 2:32]

Hi Foozi,new and magnificent capture on your gallery of strange wonders.Great macro whit the best sharpness and excellent choice of point of view to understand very well the design of this little cicada.Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano.

  • Great 
  • ddg Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 867 W: 24 N: 1008] (5507)
  • [2011-11-23 2:42]

Bonjour Foozi, superbe insecte de la famille des Membracides caractérisés par leur pronotum. Great DOF and perfect framing. Gorgeous colors and outstanding lightness. What a huge head!! Congratulations, Best regards, Didier.

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2011-11-23 3:53]

Hello Foozi,
What an interesting insect. Excellent sharpness and details. The flash has some parts a bit oversaturated, a pity. Good DOF and composition.
Regards,
Peter

Ciao Foozi. Top sharp and details for this strange one.

Roberto

DANG he looks as if he could hurt someone! AWESOME MACRO, talk about close up and burly! :0) great job

  • Great 
  • nagraj Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1618 W: 106 N: 3208] (15166)
  • [2011-11-23 5:47]

Hi,
Excellent closeup with good many details, fine image. tfs.
nagraj.v

Spectacular insect! Excellent photo from a good point of view and excellent detail.
regards yiannis

Ciao Foozi, great macro of strange creature, fantastic details, wonderful colors and excellent sharpness, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • pegos Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 222 W: 0 N: 356] (1982)
  • [2011-11-23 6:16]

Impressive macro shot, Foozi!
Great POV, sharpness and detail; splendid colours and excellent depth. This insect is very interesting. Very well done!
Thanks for sharing
Enrico

Amazing insect Foozi! Beautiful photo with very good composition and nice colours.
Regards,
Christodoulos

  • Great 
  • KOMSIS Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 820 W: 0 N: 2419] (10674)
  • [2011-11-23 8:17]

Salam Foozi,
Very interesting, a flying-insect ..
Excellent details, nice colours, beautiful composition and POV.
Best wishes,
Seyfi

Hi Foozi,
welcome You :)
This is very interesting specie taken from a great point of view. Nice colours and composition.
Very good sharpness.
Thanks for sharing,
Maciek

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3097 W: 109 N: 12399] (52850)
  • [2011-11-23 11:54]

Hello Foozi.
Excllent work, great colors Bg POV DOF perfect details very crisp, nicly composed and capture photo.
Best regads Siggi

Hi Foozi,

Great macro shot of this treehopper. It is very small & you'd captured it with good details & sharpness.
Good POV & composition. Well done & TFS.
Kapil

hello Foozi
great sharpness and with good details
the colours are very good
thanks greeting lou

Hello Foozi,
An interesting insect captured with nice colours and beautiful composition. Well done!
Regards,
Mircea

Hallo Foozi,
a superb macro shot, outstanding sharpness and impressive details, very well composed
TFS
Best regards
Maurizio

Hello Foozi,

An amazing insect, never before seen by me!
the flash works well to really bring out the finer details, and without disturbing reflections in shiny parts...
Accurate DoF and the scene is well framed!

Greetings,
Pablo -

Hello Foozi,
What a fabulous image! Excellent quality with very good definition and DOF. Well done, also with your very informative note. Best wishes.
Neels

Hi Foozi,

The stem is helping to frame the insect. The macro point of view is showing the details and colors of the Treehopper. The conbination of the morning light and of the light of the flash have a good effect on the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2754 W: 282 N: 4931] (19883)
  • [2011-12-21 15:20]

Hello Foozi,
What a unique looking insect this is, I have never seen one before. It has the body of a Cicada and such an unusual shaped head.
The fine detail shows it's features off nicely and the coloration looks very natural. It almost looks like it is wearing a Darth Vader helmut. Very informative notes!!
Ron

Hello Foozi

Great macro shot of this amazing insect,
with beautiful light, excellent focus
sharpness and details, TFS

Asbed

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