Gallery: These Insects Decorate Their Butts With Waxy Sculptures

  • Image may contain Animal Reptile Lizard Invertebrate and Plant
    John Horstman
    01

    8663609305-d7c59769d5-h

    This planthopper is completely hidden underneath a poofy toupee of wax.
  • planthopper
    Nicky Bay
    02

    Planthopper nymph

    This planthopper nymph has straight wax, curly wax, and fluffy wax on its behind. It's like a hipster buttstache, waxed to perfection.
  • waxy planthopper
    Nicky Bay
    03

    planthopper

    Sparkler butt! This planthopper's waxy behind can be lifted up and over its body for defense.
  • Image may contain Plant Tree Ice Outdoors Nature Snow Frost Fir and Abies
    John Horstman
    04

    8347588739-5dc0f8e3a9-h

    This stem is almost completely hidden by wax-covered nymphs. By roosting together, these little planthoppers are able to hide from predators in plain sight.
  • Image may contain Plant Animal Invertebrate Insect Arachnid and Spider
    John Horstman
    05

    11958655346-b28e0f2d3d-h

    Is it a spider? An insect corpse infected with a fungus? Nope, it's a tiny scale insect hiding under lots of waxy extensions.
  • Image may contain Plant Flower Blossom Dandelion and Leaf
    John Horstman
    06

    14184178385-2d8ce8ebbf-h

    Spiraling Whiteflies are relatives of planthoppers. The female creates the waxy rings as she lays her eggs, and the nymphs hatch out inside a gated wax community.
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