Ledromorpha planirostris (nymph) (Ledromorpha planirostris)

Error message

Unable to fetch location details at this time.

Photo by Mark Ridgway

Published on Project Noah

Zoom

-37.9027, 145.33

Field Notes

Description:

18mm long, 2mm height, can go very flat onto bark of local eucalyptus (Eucalyptus microcarpa) - symmetrical pattern reveals its outline otherwise well camouflaged

Habitat:

Smooth eucalyptus bark - this one on Corymbia citriodora.

Notes:

Cicadellidae: Ledrinae: Ledrini: ----
Apparently the adults are up to 28mm long with a tapered tail which is actually an ovipositor. The largest known tree hopper. Also there are no males - the species is parthenogenic !!!

Reference Links:

The World's Largest Leafhopper - Ledromorpha planirostris

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (11)

MartinL

http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/8165078

Leuba Ridgway

Well done argybee ! - good spotting. Should follow this nymph to adulthood with some pics, of course !

Mark Ridgway

Gee thanks martin. Good info link too. I had these pics for quite a few days and thought they were not interesting enough to put up. Just goes to show the most boring looking thing might turn out to be the most interesting. Must look through other stuff I have thought too boring until now. Yep - interesting creature alright. I'm determined to try to find the adults now.

Sachin Zaveri

Congratulation,

MartinL

I award you the arthropod spotting of the day. You get to keep your patch for sure now. Did you see this link? http://www1.dpi.nsw.gov.au/keys/leafhop/tartessinae/ledromo.htm

Mark Ridgway

Oh sorry martin - I was editing while you were posting - we got to the same place anyway. I think that's it - thanks. Wish I had a better common name for it though.

MartinL

You've got to check this link including the nymph stages http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_planthoppers/LargestLeafhopper.htm

MartinL

I love your second pic. These bugs fascinate me.

Mark Ridgway

Thanks for that suggestion martin. It didn't seem leafhopperish because it was a very flexible thing - could arch it's back quite a lot and the sides seemed to flex down to make a snug fit on the bark. I've got some newer clearer pics yet to process.

MartinL

I've just listed a leaf hopper that I believe is a second cousin to yours; http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/8189954

MartinL

I would suggest a leafhopper. I noticed another recent spotting on PN that got ID'd as a leafhopper so someone out there knows it! It will be similar to this one http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_planthoppers/images/DSCN2113.jpg

Spotted for Missions

Mimetic Animals of the World

The Hoppers

Photographed

December 22, 2011

PublishedDecember 26, 2011

Home

My Noah

To view My Noah, please Join or Sign In

Community

Discover

Spottings

Stories

Missions

Calendar

Sponsors

Education

About

Butterflies

Error message

Ledromorpha planirostris (nymph)