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Sunbird and spittlebug

on 10th August 2009

Samson Tan was at Singapore’s offshore island of Pulau Ubin on the morning of 2nd August 2009 when he noticed a female Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis) feeding on a froghopper or spittlebug (Clovia sp.). This is a sap-sucking insect, whose nymph lives within a mass of froth to evade predators.

Obviously, this defense strategy failed. The sunbird saw through the cover and simply pecked at the froth to get at the nymph. It eventually consumed froth, nymph and all.

This post is courtesy of Samson Tan of Manta’s Experience….

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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