These are some leafhoppers and treehoppers I photographed while tromping around the forests around Kansas City, Missouri. I especially enjoyed the large black leaf treehoppers that have evolved to look like black thorns.

I originally labeled this a leafhopper, but thanks to Dawn Flynn, I learned this:

It is actually a treehopper. The species is Enchenopa binotata. It feeds on butternut and honey locust. Their pronotal horn mimics the thorn on a honey locust helping them to hide from predatory birds.

Dawn Flynn
Entomologist and Curator of Life Sciences
Schiele Museum of Natural History

Thanks Dawn!

See more leafhopper photos.