Ancyra is a small genus of planthoppers of the family Eurybrachidae and the tribe Ancyrini. Species in this genus occur in South and Southeast Asia.
Description Members of the genus are well known for having a pair of prolonged filaments at the tips of the forewings that arise near a pair of small glossy spots; this creates the impression of a pair of antennae, with corresponding "eyes" (a remarkable case of automimicry).Wickler, W. 1968. Mimicry in plants and animals. McGraw-Hill, New York The "false head" effect is further reinforced by the bugs' habit of walking backwards when it detects movement nearby, so as to misdirect predators to strike at its rear, rather than at its actual head.
Taxonomy The genus Ancyra was first named in 1845 by Scottish zoologist Adam White.White A. 1845. Descriptions of a new genus and some new species of Homopterous Insects from the East in the collection of the British Museum. Annals and Magazine of Natural History. London 15: 34-37 . It is one of two genera of the tribe Ancyrini (subfamily Platybrachinae, family Eurybrachidae). The type species is Ancyra appendiculata, the species name meaning bearing appendages.
Species , the World Auchenorrhyncha Database lists the following species in the genus Ancyra:
Ancyra annamensis – Vietnam Ancyra appendiculata – India, through to Myanmar, Cambodia, Hainan Island Ancyra histrionica – Cambodia, Myanmar Ancyra luangana - after Luang Phabang (Laos), Thailand Ancyra nigrifrons – Malaysia Ancyra vicina – Vietnam Ancyra xiengana - Laos, Vietnam
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