DEFENSE IN TWO PRE-SOCIAL MEMBRACIDS (HOMOPTERA: MEMBRACIDAE)

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Abstract
Of nine treehopper species presented to the lizard, Anolis carolinensis, two were unpalatable. The basis for rejection of newly emerged adults of Umbonia crassicornis and Platycotis viltata appeared to be taste. As these adult insects matured the pronotum became highly sclerotized. Mature P. vittata lost their aposematic color and became palatable while U. crassicornis continued to be rejected. Both species brood their young and form large conspicuous aggregations.