illustrative case of a homopterous insect whose colours are traceable to the pigments formed by its symbiotic bacteria

ABSTRACT

Insects of the orders, Hemiptera and Homoptera contain symbiosis with microorganisms yeast-like or bacterial. The symbiotes play a respiratory role. Most bacteria produce pigments which appear as colours of their host insects. This is particularly the case with Homopterous insects exemplified here by Cicadella viridis. Its two colours red and green are produced by bacteria which produce these pigments