[1] This insect lives in East Africa near Lake Victoria, in countries including Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.

[1] Acanthaspis petax nymphs create a large mound on their backs consisting predominantly of ant carcasses, but other small insect corpses and bits of plants are often included.

Once captured Acanthaspis petax injects the prey with digestive enzymes and drinks the dissolved tissues, leaving an empty exoskeleton behind.

[2][3] This exoskeleton is fixed to the back of Acanthaspis petax using adhesive threads it secretes from secretory hairs on its abdomen.

[4][2] Finally, it has been suggested that this is a type of olfactory camouflage, meaning the smell of the ants would mask that of the insect, however, this theory has not been studied.

[1][3] This "dust coat" may be a form of olfactory camouflage, masking the smell of Acanthaspis petax allowing it to be undetected by its prey and capture it more easily.

[2][3] When grabbed by a predator Acanthaspis petax can release its body from its mask and run away or hide, leaving behind only a ball of ant carcasses.