A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Achilus flammeus
A small red bug approximately 18mm long and with luscious strong red, yellow and magenta colours - looking very much like a 'painted' fingernail. When it first flew past I thought it was a red moth.
On glass window around midnight in suburban back yard.
Also called 'Red fungus bug' although I'm not yet sure why. The second shot uses light from both sides of the window so gives a better idea of the glowing colour you see when it's flying. Most notably it is a native species of both New South Wales and New Zealand. One would have to ask the question 'Is this another species that got blown across the ditch?'... an update on this - I was just reading about some serious lepidopterists who set up lights and screens on the west coast of NZ to catch Australian moths. Whenever a cold front is coming from the west (Australia) it is often preceded by strong northerly winds that stream hot, insect laden air across the Tasman Sea. It's therefore very likely this little critter could have made the journey any time over the last few million years as it flies very much like a moth. They got our 'Redback spiders' so it's a workable theory. Order: Hemiptera Superfamily: Fulgoroidea Family: Achilidae Genus: Achilus
14 Comments
VERY pretty little dude! Great pics! Unfortunate that I didn't find one of these on my recent collecting trip to Australia (but I was up in the Cairns/Daintree region, so perhaps this hopper isn't there...).
Thanks Ashish. I seem to be finding some strange things lately.
Wow... you got perfect ID... Well done mark....
Its nice to know about Achilidae family of planthoppers...
Ah that Jason - he would probably be interested in this one. And you're right it does look like a painted nail. Must get better face shots for these weirder things.
JasonCryan is a planthopper guy on Noah.
Love the common name!
Planthopper ! - you were on the right track Lauren. Thanks all.
You may find match in Tropiduchidae family...
Thanks Ashish... do you have a Family name for that? It seems unheard of in Australia.
...so out of this world!
Kind of Grainy Planthopper
Juan ?
I was thinking leaf hopper too from the front bits but so flat and overlapped wing covers with node at back... it will be interesting... who is Jason?
Some kind of leaf hopper? Jason see this?