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Spittlebugs sans Spittle

January 26, 2010 | Caraça Natural Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Isn’t it cool to see these normally hidden spittlebugs exposed like this?

These spittlebugs surprised me by having no bubbles present to camouflage them. I have a few theories about what’s going on here, but it’s all speculation.

Their orange color suggests they might be unappetizing in some way. Or maybe that sap flow itself is poisonous. Of course, they drink it, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t evolved an immunity and that the toxin isn’t broken down once ingested. read more

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Assassin Bug Mimicking Bee

January 26, 2010 | Caraça Natural Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Tropical assassin bugs come in an amazing variety of forms. This one reminds me of a bee, though I didn’t see anything on my trip that might serve as a model. Despite extensive searching of the internet, I didn’t turn up any photos of a species resembling this individual.

A couple of my books do mention assassin bugs that mimic bees and wasps, so I think that’s probably what’s going on here.

[book:0962515019]

[book:0520078497]

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White-spotted Leafhopper

January 26, 2010 | Caraça Natural Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil

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Treehopper with Eggs

January 26, 2010 | Caraça Natural Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil

This treehopper appears to have deposited eggs in this twig.  I’m not sure if she’s still ovipositing or perhaps just guarding the eggs.

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Snobbish Fulgorid

January 26, 2010 | Caraça Natural Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Like many fulgorids, the front of the head of this one is oddly shaped. With what looks like an upturned nose, you could call this one downright snobbish.

Closeup of head

Take a close look at the base of the antenna below the eye.

Antenna Closeup

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Colorful Froghopper

January 25, 2010 | Caraça Natural Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Another find from my first night at Caraça’s sanctuary.

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Hatched Coreid Eggs

June 26, 2010 | Twelvestones, Roswell, GA, USA

I spotted these hatched eggs while strolling through a local park. I like how they have a sort of dashed “break here to exit” line at one end. I also like how you can see the cell structure making up the eggs, a bunch of little hexagons. I only wished I’d found them before they hatched.

I’m not really happy with this photo. I really need some way to easily diffuse my flash in the field. Not only are there flash hotspots, but you can actually see a recognizable reflection of the camera on each shell. Nonetheless, I thought the eggs themselves were worthy of a post. read more

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