Mark McCaughrean4d ago

Spring is very much upon us.

First up today, a new one for me: a planthopper nymph, Issus coleoptratus (Echte Käferzikade in 🇩🇪).

Nymphs of this species were the first insects found to have working gears – they're at the base of the hind legs & keep things in sync when they jump ⚙️

They lose them though when they moult into adults 🤷‍♂️

#Heidelberg 🏰
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Show threadMark McCaughrean4d ago

Second, some better pictures of the nymph stage of Penthimia nigra (Mönchszikade in 🇩🇪), a leafhopper that turns a dramatic black & red as an adult.

I was happy to be able to get sharper pictures, including the eyes.

#Heidelberg 🏰
#Photography 📷️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️️
#BugOfTheDay 🐞
#MacroPhotography 🔬
#InsectsOfMastodon 🪰
#BackGardenEntomology 🪲

Show thread𝔸𝕟𝕔𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕊𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕤 🔉
@markmccaughrean
This one's a bit cuter. I'll take your word for it about the eyes
Mar 22 at 10:11pmWeb
Show threadMark McCaughrean4d ago
@ancientsounds Near the front / top, close to the bottom of the head. Has a v-shaped white rim on the lower side, & the reddish-brown eye with a blacker centre is clearly compound.
Show thread𝔸𝕟𝕔𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕊𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕤 🔉4d ago
@markmccaughrean
OK I can see the V-shaped white rim but after that it gets a bit fuzzy. But it's also 11 pm on a Sunday! Appreciating the entomology, and night night