Friday, June 1, 2012

Scarlet and Black



There has been a sudden emergence of these colourful froghoppers Cercopis vulnerata recently. These were photographed in Teesdale yesterday. My impression is that they are becoming more common locally. Their nymphs feed on the roots of plants so, unlike the common froghoppers whose nymphs produce the familiar 'cuckoo spit' on stems, these don't attract attention until they emerge as adults.


2 comments:

  1. I've never seen one of these this close - it looks a bit like Darth Vader around the head!

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  2. Certainly does Rob. Gaudy little insects!

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