Classification: | Phylum: Arthropoda | Class: Insecta | Order: Hemiptera | Family: Membracidae | Genus: Oxyrachis |

This treehopper has a mutualistic relationship between the weaver ant (Oecophylla smaragdina). The adult treehopper or its nymph secretes a sugary substance that attracts the ants. In return, the ants provide protection to the treehoppers against predators.

The following was likely to be one of the juvenile stages where the horns had yet to be fully formed.

Based on the pictures of the bug seen in a report [1], this treehopper is likely to be Oxyrachis tarandus. I had previously thought that it was Leptobelus sauteri. It is commonly known as Cow Bug due to the 2 horn-liked structures on its head region. Besides the 2 horns, there is a third protrusion that extends along its back. Another of its common name is Babul Hopper [2].

Most of the reports on this treehopper originated from India. It was reported that this bug and its nymph were attended by black ants, Camponotus compressus [3, 4].

Reference article(s):

[1] Sharma A, Pati PK. First report of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, as a New Host of Cowbug (Oxyrachis tarandus, Fab.) in plains of Punjab, Northern India. World Applied Sci J 2011;14(9):1344-1346. | Read article |

[2] Ali MS, Sattar A, Chaturvedi OP. Population dynamics of babul hoppers (Oxyrachis tarandus Fab) as influenced by weather parameters in north Bihar. Indian J Agroforestry 2008;10(2):105-107. | Read article |

[3] Nettimi1 RP, Iyer P. Patch fidelity in Camponotus compressus ants foraging on honeydew secreted by treehoppers. Curr Sci 2015;109(2):362-366. | Read article |

[4] Misra S, Reddy CR, Sivaprasad G, Reddy V, Chandrashekharaiah KD. Record of Oxyrachis tarandus (Fb) on mulberry in Andhra Pradesh. Indian J Sericulture 2003;42(1):66.