A global community of nature enthusiasts
photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Homalodisca vitripennis
Small leafhopper about 12 mm long emerging from its exoskeleton into adulthood at sunrise. This process is called, eclosing. Once the exoskeleton is empty, it's called an exuvia. This series shows it from the top view. View my other series taken from the side view at: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/248...
This hopper was on a Lemon tree in backyard
The nymph can be seen at: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/238... and the adult at: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/246...
Spotted on May 23, 2013
Submitted on May 23, 2013
64 Comments (1–25)
Thank you martin and Larry!
Belated congrats on this wonderful series Cindy!
He he, thank you Mark! I too am curious as to why they're so boldly colored. Guess they're just clowns at heart :)
Wow. Almost missed it. Superb series Cindy. Congratulations. I sometimes wonder why these types of critters have such incredible colors at what is probably their most vulnerable moment in life. Are they crazy.. just trying to get eaten !?
Thanks again Carol!
Incredible series! Stunning photography!
Thank you all so much! Joshua, great question. I missed the first part but from the first to the last image of this and my other spotting from the side view: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/248..., was about 30 minutes. I'm guessing this entire process is about one hour from the first sign of eclosing to when it's fully dried and the final color has shown.
Fantastic series Cindy! Congratulations. How long did it take for it to exit the exuvia?
Amazing spotting and series!
I am truly touched by all of the wonderful comments and support I've received on this series. Thank you!
I'm inspired by your own spottings from around the world. This really is a unique community and I am very proud to be a part of it.
Great series, fantastic pictures, well deserved SOTD, congratulations, CindyBinghamKeiser and thank you for sharing such an event.
Awesome spotting! Congratulations Cindy!
Well done Cindy! Congrats!
Congrats Cindy...well deserved!
Congratulations Cindy fantastic spot and series :)
Fantastic series .. thank you! Well deserved SOTD
Congrats!
Congratulations Cindy!
Congratulations Cindy! Spectacular series,
Congrats Cindy!
Hi Cindy, Congratulations. What a beautiful series!
Congratulations Cindy! Truly amazing!
Thank you for the honor, Karen and for the wonderful comments from this fun community! Thanks to Project Noah for reminding me of my love for nature and to this species for introducing me to the hoppers. I'm hooked on both!
Congratulations on this awesome SotD !
What an awesome series! Thank you for sharing Cindy, & congratulations on another spotting of the day!
Insects go through a series of stages, known as “instars” before they finally become adults. At each stage they must shed their exoskeleton by squeezing through a small hole, leaving behind an exuvia or “shed”. Check out this wonderful series of a sharpshooter, a species of leafhopper, as it emerges in its final adult form, in a process known as eclosing.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=...
https://twitter.com/projectnoah/status/3...