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Project Noah Nature School
Gray to brown, bumpy planthopper nymph with reddish "spiraling" eye and a white bristly "tail." From what I have read, this tassel is actually a hydrophobic wax produced by a gland only in the nymph phase. The wax has different purposes and can be different shapes (in different species) to aid in predator distraction, gliding, or even water repelling! I'm definitely no expert on planthoppers (or planthopper nymphs), so any ID help is much appreciated. This was actually a surprise spotting for me! I was going after another insect, and this guy decided to hop on my hand and say hello! I wish I could have gotten better photos, but it did not want to stay still! Looks a lot like something from the Acalonia genus from what I can tell.
Perching on the underside of a leaf (and then my hand) under an overgrown/vined area of muscadines, honeysuckle, and mixed hardwoods.
Spotted on Jul 8, 2017
Submitted on Jul 8, 2017
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