I woke up feeling like something was biŧing my upper back.

Above my mattress, I found this.

My whole family has been staring at it for an hour, but we still can’t figure out what it is.

Does anyone know what this could be?

What It Actually Is

Treehoppers are small plant-feeding insects related to leafhoppers and planthoppers.

They use piercing mouthparts to drink sap from stems, leaves, and branches.

They are usually found outdoors on shrubs, garden plants, trees, vines, and weeds.

Because of their strange body shape, many people mistake them for:

• Tiny alien creatures

• Mutant cicadas

• Beetles with horns

• Dangerous stinging insects

• Baby cicadas

But in reality, they are usually harmless sap-feeding insects.

Why Does It Have “Horns”?

The horn-like structures serve several possible purposes:

1. Camouflage

Many treehoppers look like thorns, dried buds, broken twigs, or plant bumps. Predators such as birds may ignore them because they blend into branches.

2. Defense Through Confusion

Their odd shape makes them harder for predators to recognize as edible insects.

3. Mimicry

Some species may resemble ants, wasps, or dangerous insects, helping scare predators away.

4. Species Recognition

Body shapes can help insects identify members of their own species during mating.

So the “horns” are usually survival tools, not weapons.

Why Did It Appear Inside Your House?

These insects normally belong outside. If one appeared indoors, there are several common reasons.

1. It Was Attracted to Light

Many insects are drawn toward porch lights, indoor lamps, windows, or bright nighttime lighting. It may have flown or crawled toward light and entered through an open door or window.

2. It Came in With Plants

If you brought potted plants, flowers, branches, vegetables, or garden items indoors, the insect may have been hiding on them.

3. Seasonal Wandering

During warm seasons, rainy weather, or mating periods, insects move around more actively and sometimes accidentally enter homes.

4. It Entered Through Small Gaps

Tiny insects can slip through window screens, door gaps, vents, cracks, or openings around pipes.

5. Weather Changes

Heavy rain, heat, storms, or sudden temperature shifts often drive insects to seek shelter temporarily.

Is It Dangerous?

In almost all cases, no.

Treehoppers and similar horned insects:

• Do not sting

• Do not bite people aggressively

• Do not spread household disease like cockroaches

• Do not damage furniture

• Do not infest homes like termites

They mainly want plant sap and outdoor vegetation. Inside your house, they usually cannot survive long because there is no suitable food source.

What Should You Do?

1. Stay Calm

It may look strange, but appearance does not equal danger.

2. Remove It Gently

Use a cup and paper method:

• Place a cup over the insect

• Slide paper underneath

• Carry it outside

• Release it onto a plant or tree

3. Check Nearby Plants

If you keep indoor plants, inspect leaves and stems for additional insects.

4. Seal Entry Points

To prevent more insects:

• Repair torn screens

• Close doors promptly

• Seal cracks around windows

• Reduce unnecessary outdoor lights near entrances

5. Keep Porch Lights Lower at Night

Bright white lights attract many insects. Warm-toned bulbs may reduce attraction.

Why It Looked Like a Cicada

Treehoppers and cicadas are both in related insect groups and can share features such as:

• Large side-set eyes

• Strong legs

• Triangular or hump-backed bodies

• Winged appearance

• Plant-feeding habits

But cicadas are usually much larger and famous for loud buzzing sounds. Treehoppers are smaller and quieter.

Could It Be Something Else?

Sometimes people describe “horned cicadas” when they actually saw:

• Lanternflies

• Planthoppers

• Katydid nymphs

• Assassin bug nymphs

• Beetles with projections

• Moths with unusual antennae

But if it had a compact body and strange back “horns,” treehopper is one of the most likely explanations.

Why Nature Makes Strange Insects

Many insects evolved dramatic shapes because predators constantly hunt them. If an insect looks like a thorn instead of food, it survives longer and passes on those traits. Over millions of years, bizarre designs developed.

That means the strange creature in your house is not a monster—it is evidence of how creative evolution can be.

Should You Worry About More Appearing?

Usually not. A single insect indoors is often accidental. Unless you keep infested plants inside or leave many openings, it is unlikely to become a recurring problem.

Final Answer

The “cicada with horns” you saw was most likely a treehopper or similar harmless plant insect, not a dangerous pest. Its horn-like shape is used for camouflage and protection, not attack. It probably entered your house by accident through a door, window, plant, or because it was attracted to light. The best solution is simply to move it outside and seal small entry points if needed. Strange-looking insects are common, but most are harmless visitors rather than threats.