Family: Membracidae
Subfamily: Smiliinae
These Vanduzea arquata nymphs, of at least two different instars, were living on a small black locust tree, and were attended by ants.
A separate page shows images of Vanduzea arquata nymphs tended by ants.
Below: the species in a later, probably ultimate, instar.
The relationship between this species and ants in the genus Formica has been long noted. Robert S. Fritz (1983) reported that upon hatching, the nymphs of Vanduzea arquata "are immediately attended by Formica day and night," with the nymphs protected from predators "by the aggressive Formica ants." Ants in the genus Camponotus also attend this treehopper species.
Above: nymph of one of the middle instars
Below: teneral adult Vanduzea arquata
