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melvynyeo — Fake dandelion

Published: 2013-04-27 17:19:39 +0000 UTC; Views: 5983; Favourites: 70; Downloads: 50
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Description A hopper nymph using it's tail to mimic dandelion or some seed fuzz.. Taken in Singapore forest at night.
Closer view

Quote from [link]
A planthopper is any insect in the infraorder Fulgoromorpha within the Hemiptera. The name comes from their remarkable resemblance to leaves and other plants of their environment and from the fact that they often "hop" for quick transportation in a similar way to that of grasshoppers. However, planthoppers generally walk very slowly so as not to attract attention. Distributed worldwide, all members of this group are plant-feeders, though surprisingly few are considered pests. The infraorder contains only a single superfamily, Fulgoroidea. Fulgoroids are most reliably distinguished from the other members of the classical "Homoptera" by two features; the bifurcate ("Y"-shaped) anal vein in the forewing, and the thickened, three-segmented antennae, with a generally round or egg-shaped second segment (pedicel) that bears a fine filamentous arista.

Nymphs of many Fulgoroids produce wax from special glands on the abdominal terga and other parts of the body. These are hydrophobic and help conceal the insects. Adult females of many families also produce wax which may be used to protect eggs.
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Comments: 9

milddissociation [2018-05-27 01:56:07 +0000 UTC]

I had no idea this creature existed! Nice job!

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Indlulamithi [2014-12-02 16:57:18 +0000 UTC]

Wow, I've never seen anything quite like this. Beautiful!

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melvynyeo In reply to Indlulamithi [2014-12-03 08:54:58 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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JudesJewels [2014-05-19 10:14:11 +0000 UTC]

Viewed large, the filaments are rainbow coloured and the nymph looks like a sparkler! Your photography is SO good!

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melvynyeo In reply to JudesJewels [2014-12-03 08:55:02 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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Manigran [2013-05-12 02:25:01 +0000 UTC]

Fantastic job!

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TheSolitas [2013-04-30 08:05:00 +0000 UTC]

Very convincing camolfage, impressive that you've managed to capture each individual strand. Good eyes to even capture it for that matter, must be very easily missed.

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diskfire [2013-04-28 03:23:33 +0000 UTC]

Dang, that's pretty amazing!

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herofan135 [2013-04-27 20:47:50 +0000 UTC]

Really amazing, it sure does look like a wind-dispersed seed.

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