#fulgoroidea

presumably, both ant species drink the honeydew produced by the planthoppers, and in return they get a safe place to live and easy access to the tree roots from which they themselves drink. cixiids’ waxy plumes detach at the slightest contact to gum up a predator’s jaws, yet I’ve never seen any ants with wax stuck to them.

this mutualistic relationship comes to an end when the planthoppers mature, leaving the ants to go drink sap from aboveground plants. they also leave behind their wax tail and develop big eyes and glassy wings.

Another insect that is not part of the zoo, but just happens to be here.

Geisha distinctissima

17. what's a bug you have a tattoo of or would get a tattoo of? (bonus points for pictures)

I currently have four bug tattoos, but I'm definitely planning on getting more! From left to right, top to bottom: Hyles lineata (white-lined sphinx moth), Bombus pensylvanicus (American Bumblebee), Dynastes hercules (Hercules beetle), and Cotinis mutabilis (Fig-eater beetle). I love all of them so much!

37.What's the cutest or coolest baby bug?

I certainly have a soft spot for beetle grubs, they're so cute! But as for coolest, I think some caterpillars and leafhopper nymphs are super cool!

grub photo is mine, other two are not. :)

©Mojtaba Zeinalzadegan

Planthopper (Pyrops maculatus)