fisherwr2 > Ants tending aphids on the bud of an eggplant.  The ants feed on the sweet honeydew secreted by the aphids and the aphids are protected by the ants from parasitoids and predators
fisherwr2 > Cast skin of a cicada nymph showing the transluscent area over each compound eye that allows you to look through exuvia and see the leaves on the other side of the insect
fisherwr2 > View of the head of a large leafhopper (~ 13 mm) showing the piercing mouthparts, the sharp needle-like structure between the front legs.  The anterior structure that looks like a surgical mask, characteristic of leafhoppers and cicadas, encloses muscles that help suck plant liquids into the insect.  This mechanism is called the cibarial pump.
fisherwr2 > A planthopper
fisherwr2 > Exoskeleton of a last instar leafhopper on the underside of an oak leaf.  Similar to other exmples in this gallery, the mouthparts are imbedded into the main vein to anchor the insect to the leaf.  In addition, the six legs are grasping the sides of the vein to further improve attachment to the leaf.  This makes it easier for the adult to separate from the old skeleton.  The split along the head and thorax is where the adult literally walked out of its' own skin.  The oval structure lateral on the thorax contained the folded-up wings.  The new adult was white, soft, and vulnerable until the body shell hardened and the wings were completely unfolded and ready to support flight.
fisherwr2 > A treehopper, Ceresa tauriniformis (Homoptera: Membracidae)
fisherwr2 > Cast skin or exuvia from a leafhopper,  Paraulacizes irrorata (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) on the underside of a leaf. Note the piercing mouthparts embedded into the leaf's main vein, which anchors the insect and allows the next stage to more easily shed it's old skin
fisherwr2 > Leafhopper (Homoptera: Cicadellidae)
Ants tending aphids on the bud of an eggplant. The ants feed on the sweet honeydew secreted by the aphids and the aphids are protected by the ants from parasitoids and predators
fisherwr2 > Ants tending aphids on the bud of an eggplant.  The ants feed on the sweet honeydew secreted by the aphids and the aphids are protected by the ants from parasitoids and predators
Ants tending aphids on the bud of an eggplant. The ants feed on the sweet honeydew secreted by the aphids and the aphids are protected by the ants from parasitoids and predators
See photo in original gallery.

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