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Project Noah Nature School
Siphanta acuta
Green insect that resembles a leaf with its triangular shape and coloring. It has light blue/green spots over the entire body and heave veining. Edges of wings have red dots. Legs and "nose" are green but turn red toward the end/tip. Possible mite infestation on this bug. The first image shows something under its wings. The fifth image shows something on the outside of the wings.
Unknown sapling in backyard near citrus orchard.
These are native to Australia and not very common in California. It is a type of Flatid Planthopper. "'TORPEDO BUG' refers to the great leaping ability of nymphs; mature nymphs can leap as far as 60 cm (about 2 feet)" - BugGuide Aka: Green Planthopper
Spotted on Nov 8, 2011
Submitted on Nov 8, 2011
19 Comments
I've got your link now. This image is consistent with the impression that Ian's spotting is another species.
Thanks Dan. I hope to see more someday :)
Sorry for the delayed response Cindy but I think the planthoppers I saw originate from N. America.
Make that second to last image :-)
That's a definite possibility! The last image shows some tiny insects in the outside of its wings. Thank you!
That shadow is interesting... It doesn't seem to connect to the tail area, so I wonder if it could be a tinier critter (like a mite) going for a ride, like this: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/721... Or maybe a piece of dirt or debris? I've never seen a planthopper backlit like that. :)
Thanks textless! I'm curious what's making the odd shadow on the planthopper in the wing area. Any ideas?
What a cute hopper - great photos!
I think so too, chebeagueschool and Longmustache!
Lovely shape!
Awesome bug!
They are similar, Dan. Do yours originate from N.A. or are they also from Australia?
Cool spotting! Love the red outline. I saw a few similar.
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/692...
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/718...
Love It!
It is amazing, Emma. What's more amazing is that this one didn't jump 2 ft when I had the camera right in its face :)
Thank you AnjaliAnantharam!
Would love to see this one.. Nice spotting..
Isn't it amazing that they can leap as far as 2 ft?
:) Thank you Emma. This is my first Planthopper spotting I got excited!
awesome as usual!