Centrotus cornutus
Centrotus cornutus is a species of "treehoppers" belonging to the family Membracidae.
Distribution
This species is present in most of Europe, in the eastern Palearctic realm and in the Near East. It is one of only two UK treehoppers.Habitat
These thorn-hoppers inhabit woodlands, beech forests, hedge rows and moderately moist or dry areas.Description
The adult males reach in length, while females are slightly larger. The basic colouration of the stocky body is dark-brown. The large protruding eyes are round and reddish-brown to red. The pronotum is hairy, arched up and pulled back in a long, wave-shaped extension above the wings, with two sharp, ear-shaped lateral protrusions. The legs are very short. The front wings are pale brown and translucent, with evident brown veins.The bizarre horn-like extensions of the pronotum apparently help the camouflage. As a matter of fact, when this insect is at rest on a branch with the legs retracted, it looks like a part of the branch itself.
This species is rather similar to Gargara genistae, the second UK species of treehoppers, that lacks the horn-like protrusions, has a shorter extension above the wings and it is associated with broom.