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Project Noah Nature School
Acizzia sp.
Eggs, nymphs and adults of this tiny insect are all restricted to the end of this branch by ants which protect them from various predators and are rewarded with honeydew produced by the psyllids. Pic 2 shows an adult with proboscis drinking phloem sap from the plant.
Acacia branches
Spotted on Apr 19, 2013
Submitted on Apr 19, 2013
4 Comments
Thanks Leuba
Very interesting, Martin. that is a really good close-up of an adult drinking sap.
These Psyllids are unusual in having free living nymphs. I thought they were tiny leafhoppers at first. Soon we'll have to traverse the damp gullies for mushrooms again.
Fabulous find. I'm amazed you can find any creatures at all right now.