Mystery Monday reveal – the peanut head bug

This week’s Mystery Creature was a funny looking insect,  but despite its ominous appearance it is actually a harmless plant hopper, a Fulgora laternaria, commonly called a peanut head bug or an alligator bug due to the unusual appearance of its very large head.

Image credit: Hectonichus; Image source: Wikimedia commons
Image credit: Hectonichus; Image source: Wikimedia commons

A native of central and south America, the adult bug is approximately eight to ten cm in length.  Despite some unusual stories and myths about this insect and its dangerous bite, it is actually a harmless plant eating bug, sucking nectar or resin through it’s straw like mouth, not exactly a menacing threat.

The peanut head bug has a number of unusual defenses that it uses to prevent itself from being eaten, firstly, that unusual head is thought to resemble the head of a lizard, to scare away potential predators. If that doesn’t work the bug opens up it’s wings to reveal two large, fake, eye patterns on it’s hind wings. And if that doesn’t work it releases it’s last line of defense… a toxic, skunk like odour!

 

Image credit: Notafly; Image source: Wikimedia commons
Image credit: Notafly; Image source: Wikimedia commons

nao

Science blogger and writer; Owner of Dr. How's Science Wows; Mother of three junior scientists who have taught me that to be a great scientist you need to look at life through the eyes of a child!

4 thoughts on “Mystery Monday reveal – the peanut head bug

  • April 19, 2016 at 3:27 am
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    Where are the real eyes located?

    • April 19, 2016 at 10:02 pm
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      Hi Gigi, the eyes are right at the back of the large ‘head’, they almost look like they are either side of the neck.

  • March 20, 2014 at 12:12 am
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    This fella is freaking me out! I’ve never seen anything like him before.

    • March 20, 2014 at 10:32 am
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      Haha I actually think he looks kind of cute Joanna… from a distance of course 🙂

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