mottled-head gum-leafhopper

Description:

A tiny black leafhopper about 4mm long with a little (probably 1st instar) nymph by its side. Higher up the branch were a cluster of brightly coloured nymphs at various developmental stages. On the branch and leaves by the hopper nymphs were droplets of liquid, probably honey dew, produced by them. The adult hopper had reddish-orange eyes. Its black body had a broad cream stripe on each wing forming an inverted "v" pattern and a narrower stripe lower down. Small cream lines along the midline ( inner margins) of each wing, look like stitches on the hopper's back.

Habitat:

Spotted on a Eucalyptus Tree - E.microcarpa

Notes:

I was delighted to see the adult and the little nymph together - very cute ! The nymphs don't hop but run along the branches. The honeydew that they produce attract ants that protect the hoppers, in return, from predators.