Cicadellidae
Leafhoppers
Ramosulus fulgidus - Manu, Peru - December 2008
The leafhoppers are a large family, with at least 20000 species worldwide and over 250 British species. They are mostly quite small (<10mm) but many are brightly coloured and beautifully marked.
adult male Cicadella viridis - West Glamorgan, Wales - July 2011
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adult female Cicadella viridis - Cheshire, England - August 2009
 adult female |
 nymph |
Cicadella viridis - Cheshire, England - August 2009
Many of the tropical species are particularly colourful...
Erythrogonia sp. - Manu, Peru - December 2008
Erythrogonia sp. - Manu, Peru - December 2008
Manu, Peru - December 2008
Manu, Peru - December 2008
Manu, Peru - December 2008
Manu, Peru - December 2008
After moulting, they cover their body with microscopic secretary granules. These brochosomes provide a protective surface that is highly water repellent. It is also repellent to the insect's own liquid excretory waste, which due to its high sugar content is rather sticky and constitutes a potential hazard to any insect that doesn't have a non-stick surface. Individual brochosomes tend to be small (0.2-0.7µm), hollow, truncated icosohedral spheres (i.e. the same shape as a soccer ball) with a honeycombed outer wall.
Manu, Peru - December 2008
Sibovia praevia - Manu, Peru - December 2008
Manu, Peru - December 2008
Serra des Araras, Brazil - August 2000
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