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Creiis corniculatus
These were small slightly flattened trumpet-shaped lerps spotted on eucalyptus leaves. The broader part of these lerps were transparent and appeared fragile. each of these lerps appeared to have a nymph inside with their pale orange coloured bodies clearly visible through the transparent lerp shell.
Spotted on Mugga Ironbark (Eucalyptus sideroxylon) in the Cocoparra National Park, New South Wales
These lerps are protective covers constructed by the nymphs of small hemipterans. The nymphs feed under the protection of these covers.
Unlike lerps of Glycaspis species, I could not see any ants crawling around these lerps. Also, this species of Creiis lerps seemed keratinous. I assume therefore that these lerps are not made of the same sugary substance as those of the Glycaspis species.
Various birds feed on lerps but a study on lerp-feeding by birds suggests that birds avoided the Creiis species of lerps.
7 Comments
Thank you Leanne.
Great spotting Leuba and good info too. Such interesting little creatures.
Thanks Chun. Good aren't they ! First for me too and refreshingly different from the millions of glycaspis you see everywhere !!
I have never seen a lerp like this. Amazing spotting!
Thanks Felix.
Machi, California has a lot of River Redgums (E.cameldulensis) and they have a serious lerp problem - Glycaspis brimblecombei. Next time you're in California check those trees...Good luck
These were unusual and the first for me.
Great spotting and info!
I still haven't found a lerp. Nice find!