Ricaniid Planthopper Nymph

Ricaniidae

Description:

Ricaniid Planthopper nymph, covered in waxy filaments, which are thought to protect it, or hide it, from predators.

Habitat:

Spotted in the farm on Tropical Whiteweed (Ageratum conyzoides Linn.) known in the Philippines by various names in many dialects. In our local dialect, this plant is called Salunay. Plant information - http://stuartxchange.com/Bulak.html

Notes:

I am not suggesting that this is Ricania japonica, but there is a nice short (only 2 pages) pdf at - http://biriz.biz/cay/ricaniajaponicabayr...... which mentions (last paragraph, page 2) the waxy filaments which I think are common to all Ricaniid nymphs.