Red-eyed Planthopper Lystra lanata is a planthopper species, it is found in Brazil, French Guiana, French West Indies, Mexico etc. Its host plant is the Simarouba amara tree. It is a planthopper in the fulgorid planthopper family. They are members of the hemiptera or true bugs. They use their proboscis to penetrate their host plant/tree. The white tails are made of wax, this strategy is possibly a ploy to fool birds and other predators who might mistake the extremely visible tails for the head. Its habitat is leaf litter; jungle. Red-dotted planthopper can emit a mysterious, natural light from its body, a phenomenon not typically associated with its family.
Pic: Andriusp/Inaturalist
#weird #beautiful #insects #planthoppers

Wax-tailed Planthopper (Pterodictya reticularis) is found in Ecuadorian Amazon, French Guinea etc. They consume plant juice by inserting their mouths into the phloems of plants. They convert the nutrients of this plant material into long, bizarre wax plumes. Not much is known about the function of wax plumes but scientists believe the purpose could be defensive from predators, if the wax -tailed planthopper's tail breaks off, it grows a new one. Female Wax Tailed Hoppers also use the wax to protect their eggs before they hatch. The bug’s appearance also helps it to blend in with the leaves and plants it likes to live in. antenna-like tails can trick predators into thinking the planthopper's head is on the other end. The Wax Tailed Hopper is also known for its quick movements that are not unlike that of a grasshopper.
Pic: Inaturalist
#weird #insects #nature #planthoppers

Lots of hopper photos on here of late, here's an old one of mine. Probably Issus coleoptratus #planthoppers #insects #insectsofmastodon
https://flic.kr/p/6vpqDJ

Torpedo bug (Siphanta acuta)
Day 26 of #invertober #invertober2023
The Torpedo bug is a type of planthopper native to Australia, recognized for its distinctive flattened and torpedo-like shape, and has the ability to leap great distances despite its small size. It has been introduced to other countries where it can be a pest to the native trees. It has been known to eradicate large numbers of native trees in Hawaii as well as coffee and other cultivated crops.
#leafhopper #bug #bugs #planthoppers #hemiptera #insect #insects #athropods #invertebrates