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Scale insect (lerp#11)

Photo by MartinL
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

Brown lerp insect with spotted back and rudimentary wings.

Habitat:

This scale insect hides under a waxy shell at the tip of a leaf. The leaf tip is curled over forming a convex section enabling the safe occupation of this creative little habitat.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (7)
Mark Ridgway
here's another link http://outernode.pir.sa.gov.au/forestry/publications_index/forest_health_information/factSheets/lerps_insects
MartinL
A lerp is a shell or covering. Psyllids are the smallest (in size) and largest (in number of species) of hemipteran bugs. Some psyllids induce leaf gall formation (other insects do too). Some psyllids produce waxy or starchy covers (lerps) to hide under while they are nymphs. Some psyllids are entirely free living. . The word "lerp" actually has its origin as an Aborigine word that described these little structures. http://buginfo.com/article.cfm?id=64
Mark Ridgway
That's a good pic. Hope you're not going loopy over lerps.:)

Spotted for Missions

Mission
WILD Cities: Urban Biodiversity

Tags

Photographed
PublishedFebruary 3, 2012

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