Ball-bearer Leafhopper, Bocydium globulareimage credit: animalworld.tumblr.com

Ball-bearer Leafhopper, Bocydium globulareimage credit: naturecloseups.com

Ball-bearer Leafhopper, Bocydium globulareimage credit: naturecloseups.com

Ball-bearer Leafhopper, Bocydium globulareimage credit: naturecloseups.com

Habitat: South America
Status: Not listed

This little creature appears to be a fan of modern art, touting a tiny “sculpture” of sorts on its back! It’s the Ball-bearer Leafhopper (Bocydium globulare), a kooky bug if I do say so myself. This makes sense since it’s found in the Membracidae family which are known for their peculiar shapes.

The strange arrangement of balls on its back breaks off easily so that if predators go for the Ball-bearer Leafhopper they get a mouth full of…er…balls, instead. Get your mind out of the gutter people.