Flatid Planthopper

Hi thewndrr, thank you for your comment. When I first learned about the white substance associated with Planthopper nymphs, I had some questions. Most of the information available refers to it as a form of camouflage which enables the nymph to hide from predators. Well, I think that would be just fine for any Planthoppers who happen to live in Finland in the winter. I am sure the predators would have a hard time spotting a white nymph in the snow. But these little guys are walking around on green plants in the tropics. It seems that wearing a white coat doesn't make them conspicuous enough. So, they rub the white all over their habitat to ensure that it can be spotted by a half-blind octogenarian 20 yards away. I know that those who believe the "camouflage theory" will point out that once a large part of the host plant is covered in white, then the nymph sits on the white and becomes difficult to see. That is utter nonsense. Over the millenia, predators would surely have learned that a white patch on a plant is the place to go for a snack. I think it is much more likely that predators have learned not to eat that stuff because it tastes awful. If I am right, then it is not camouflage. It is a chemical deterrent. Anyway, enough of my hare-brained ideas. If you want some conventional information, please look at https://insectic.com/planthopper-life-cycle/.... By the way, I always like your spottings, but I don't always have time to open them, click on the "like" and close them again. I spend most of my time trying to put together one or two spottings each day for Project Noah. The spottings are not the problem. As you have surely noticed, the problem is trying to suppress my unscientific ideas :-) Best regards, John B.