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The keeled treehopper is
generally considered a garden pest. I most often find them on my
tomato plants. In large enough numbers, they severely damage, or
even kill the plants. Like aphids and other sucking bugs, keeled
treehoppers produce a sweet
fluid called honeydew which is attractive to ants. In the same
way
as aphids, keeled treehoppers are tended by ants. So to control
the
bugs, instead of using insecticides, I take measures to deny ants
access
to the plants I want to protect. Yes, I do sacrifice some plants
to
provide keeled treehoppers for science class activities.
Keeled
treehoppers on a tomato
plant, both
adults and nymphs.
An adult keeled
treehopper.
Notice the high Sharp "keel" over its back, the large, horizontal
"horns" beside its red eyes. In front of it are nymphs.
Here
is a finger for a size clue
with the black, spiny nymphs.
[Taxonomy
: Classification ]
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Biology ]
[Science Can Be Fun
