100 more species #91: Entylia carinata

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Treehopper Entylia carinata

This species of treehopper is one of about 3500 in the family Membracidae. All of them are little drinkers of plant juice, camouflaged to look like a bump or thorn on vegetation. E. carinata can be light tan to almost black, but the little round cut out notch is a consistent feature. They are frequently tended by ants, who lap up their nutritious waste products. Sometimes they are found surrounded by their wingless nymphs, which are homely, lumpy babies. (picture post of related unidentified species to follow)