Rainforest treehoppers gather together for feeding

These are three treehoppers from the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador: Cyphonia trifida (red an black with spines), Enchenopa ignidorsum (black and yellow) and Darnis lateralis (shiny black with white line). Treehoppers are insects related to cicadas and leafhoppers. Most treehoppers have a highly modified pronotum on the back, forming several hollow spines, which makes them unpalatable for potential predators and thereby gives them an advantage in the struggle for survival. Treehoppers feed on plant sap which is rich in sugar. In this video the sucking mouthparts of the treehopper have penetrated the vein of a leaf.