Common Spittlebug
Machaerotida
Ledrinae
TheWorld'sLargestLeafhopper
BlackFlat-headLeafhopper
White-dotedBrownLeafhopper
Tartessinae
Yellow-headedLeafhopper
Brown Leafhopper1
Eurymelinae
Common Jassid
Punctata Gum-treehopper
Penthimiinae
Membracidae
Lantana Treehopper
Banksia Treehopper
Green Horned Treehopper
AcaciaHornedTreehopper
Tri-horned Treehopper
Eye-patterned Gum Hopper 2 - Platybrachys vidua
Family Eurybrachyidae
This page contains pictures and information about Eye-patterned Gum Hoppers that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.
- Body length 15mm
- This planthopper rests on tree trunk heading downwards. When moves, it moves backwards. Together with the eye-patterns on it forewing tips, it gives the impression of its tail is its head. It looked lager. We found many of them on gum tree trunk in Alexandra Hill during later summer.
- We noticed that some other species, including the Platybrachys decemmacula, also have the same behavior and wing eye-patterns. Since the eye-patterns are four eyes in a row, which make us think that they may mimic the face of a Huntsman Spider. Huntsman Spider has four eyes in a row at the front of its face and wait for prey on tree trunk.
- This planthopper mostly found on smooth bark gum trees.
Nymph
- Early summer in Karawatha Forest, we found this planthopper nymph on Bottlebrush Callistemon stem. We noticed it was a large nymph and could be turn into adult very soon. We brought it home. A few days later, it turned into a Eye-patterned Gum Hopper adult.
- Reference:
- 1. Platybrachys vidua - Insects of Townsville, Australia - Graeme Cocks,2004.
