When Cockroaches Replace Ants in Trophobiosis: A New Major Life-Trait Pattern of Hemiptera Planthoppers Behaviour Disclosed When Synthesizing Photographic Data

The mutualistic interspecific relationships of trophobiosis between trophobiont planthoppers (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha) providing food to the host called xenobiont, are reviewed. degree these symbionts varies from occasional or short time duration (a few hours a days) longer ones, with trophobionts left free escape (optobiotic type) by maintained enclosed in nests ant shelters (cryptobiotic type). Of 267 collected cases, 126 new illustrated observations. Occasional is documented 13 families and appears be quite general Fulgoromorpha, although it reported for first Dictyopharidae, Eurybrachidae, Nogodinidae. Xenobionts associated ants other Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Blattodea, but also Mollusca even small gekkonid vertebrates. Tettigometridae appear exclusively tended ants, while Fulgoridae significantly more often cockroaches (40%) than (27%). Long-time occurs always cryptobiotic ones Cixiidae, Delphacidae, Tettigometridae, Meenoplidae, Flatidae Hypochthonellidae, optobiotic remain restricted tettigometrids. A particular focus on attended provided etho-ecological 92 currently described tettigometrids species, 32 different species (35%) now known able ant-attended. In Bulgaria, where fourteen occur, at least five them (36%). tettigometrids, subsociality, sessility, underground life key factors allowing complex ants. However, planthopper size thus amount (drops honeydew) probably an important factor. This might explain many observations large-sized isolated fulgorids cockroaches. Tapping forewings cockroaches, moths, bark subtrate geckos has been observed, antennal palpation behaviours most commonly observed not larger planthoppers. specific tegumentary glands secretions (allomones) abdomen pleurites mediate their long-term associations, possibly completing honeydew kairomones actions mediating general.