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? Cixiid Planthopper IV

? Mnemosyne sp

Description:

A 9mm long insect with prominent eyes and blotchy brown wing patterns. The base of the fore wings appeared to have pale patches. legs appear to have dark bands. Pic #1 shows a bristly back !

Habitat:

This insect was seen running up a giant gum. It was well camouflaged. -spotted in a eucalyptus forest

Notes:

I would not have spotted this insect at all had I not been having a close look at something else on the bark of the tree - I was so taken-up with this little insect that I forgot the other thing I was looking at....could this be a hopper of some sort?? I am so sorry about the quality of the photos... The setting of the eyes and the general description appears to fit the ID pf Cixiid plant hopper 4. If this is correct this is perhaps the most primitive of fulgorids !. I will be researching this further.

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6 Comments

Mark Ridgway
Mark Ridgway 12 years ago

A very mysterious little thing.

KarenL
KarenL 12 years ago

Very interesting! These little guys are so tricky to photograph!

Leuba Ridgway
Leuba Ridgway 12 years ago

This could be Mnemosyne comata given the setae on forewings - "comata" referring to the presence of long setae on the forewings and head

Leuba Ridgway
Leuba Ridgway 12 years ago

Martin, I am actually going to go with my very first thought - a Cixiid Planthopper IV from the Family Cixiidae.

Leuba Ridgway
Leuba Ridgway 12 years ago

Martin, I considered Issid plant hoppers because of the general shape, size and and where found. I also considered Eurybrachidae. But, the setting of the eyes and the setae on the back is a little confusing.
It's such a pity the quality of the photos are so poor..I tried in vain to get some profile shots. Thanks for the suggestion. I will do further research along the hopper line.

MartinL
MartinL 12 years ago

Leuba, it is a but hard to see, however this would be my guess.
http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_...

Leuba Ridgway
Spotted by
Leuba Ridgway

Victoria, Australia

Spotted on May 4, 2012
Submitted on May 7, 2012

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