Cerogenes auricoma

cerogenes auricoma

This Central American Fulgoridae secretes filamentous esters from the pores of the 6th -8th tergites (sections) on the abdomen, these esters are derived from the copius plant phloem which it imbibes.

It is postulated that the large volumes of phloem they need to ingest in order to obtain sufficient nitrogen for growth (the sugary liquid that plants produce via photosynthesis is low in nitrogen ) ,could affect their internal osmotic pressure and the filaments are one way to remove the excess carbon.

The filaments also may deter ants and parasites

Mexico

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