I found an odd-looking creature this week.

Can you see the bulging eyes?

Even the nymphs, like the one in the photograph below, have them.

Most insects that have large eyes are predators, like praying mantids and dragonflies.

These sharpshooters feed on plants. They use their large eyes to avoid being eaten. When something approaches the insects, they quickly scoot to the other side of the twig or branch. If the potential predator comes even closer, they leap away.

Big eyes can come in handy for prey as well as predators.