Ancyra (genus)

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for the modern version of the ancient city name Ancyra, see Ankara

Ancyra
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Hemiptera Superfamily: Fulgoroidea Family: Eurybrachyidae Genus: Ancyra White, 1845
species
A. annamensis Schmidt, 1908 A. appendiculata White, 1845

Members of the southeast Asian planthopper genus Ancyra are well-known for having a pair of prolonged filaments at the tips of the forewings that arise near a pair of small glossy spots; this creates the impression of a pair of antennae, with corresponding "eyes" (a remarkable case of automimicry)^[1]. The "false head" effect is further reinforced by the bugs' habit of walking backwards when it detects movement nearby, so as to misdirect predators to strike at its rear, rather than at its actual head.

[edit] References

1. ^ Wickler, W. 1968. Mimicry in plants and animals. McGraw-Hill, New York