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Clastoptera sp.
This tiny Spittlebug of 3 mm belongs to the Family Clastopteridae, all are very small with an odd shape, the head is on the narrow end. They have enormous eyes for their body size. This one is all black with a white band on the back end which outlines a kind of primitive eye spot. Many other species have much more defined eye spots on the back end to deter predators away from the head. This one is yellow on the underside of the head and on the legs (see 4th picture). It also has a yellow spot on each side of the outer wings. The sexes are often dimorphic. This might be the male. The nymphs make copious spittle as in other groups of spittle bugs. All species in this family are in the Genus Clastoptera with the exception of 3 oriental species.
Woody plant, Rancho Nuevo Park, 10 km east San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico, 2,200 meters.
See the beautiful spottings of Cindy Bingham Keiser for the male, female and nymph of a California species: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/239... http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/230... http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/744...
1 Comment
I had no idea there was such a creature, so cheers for the intro. Great spotting and pics, Lauren.