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Eucalyptus hopper Often found in Eucalyptus trees in the south-east coastal open forests of Australia.<br />
Hypnotic black-white eyes with a deep copper-blue-bronze patina through dark gloss and white patches on either shoulder and flank.<br />
Usually attended and groomed by mid-sized, unknown local ant species.<br />
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The sheen and the colouring is partly attributable to brochosomes - tiny geodetic spherical structures a bit like Buckminster fullerenes. <br />
They are only known to be produced by these creatures. They make them internally and after moulting, excrete some through their anus, spreading it all over their body in a grooming session. The resulting coating looks and behaves like a wax which protects the insect from the sticky sugary substances it makes later to feed ants. There are also suggestions that some species might use the brochosomes to protect their eggs.<br />
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brochosome" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brochosome</a><br />
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Also see E fenestrata. Australia,Eurymela distincta,Geotagged,Spring,brochosomes,leaf hopper Click/tap to enlarge Promoted

Eucalyptus hopper

Often found in Eucalyptus trees in the south-east coastal open forests of Australia.
Hypnotic black-white eyes with a deep copper-blue-bronze patina through dark gloss and white patches on either shoulder and flank.
Usually attended and groomed by mid-sized, unknown local ant species.

The sheen and the colouring is partly attributable to brochosomes - tiny geodetic spherical structures a bit like Buckminster fullerenes.
They are only known to be produced by these creatures. They make them internally and after moulting, excrete some through their anus, spreading it all over their body in a grooming session. The resulting coating looks and behaves like a wax which protects the insect from the sticky sugary substances it makes later to feed ants. There are also suggestions that some species might use the brochosomes to protect their eggs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brochosome

Also see E fenestrata.

    comments (4)

  1. Perfect! Posted 4 years ago
  2. Excellent photo, but also really intriguing info. Top post, Mark! Posted 4 years ago
  3. Very educational, thanks! Posted 4 years ago
  4. Thanks all. Forgot I posted another from years ago but then again that one had pale blue femurs. Always something else to notice I guess. Posted 4 years ago

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Eurymela distincta is a species of leafhopper. It was described by Signoret in 1850.

Similar species: True Bugs
Species identified by Mark Ridgway
View Mark Ridgway's profile

By Mark Ridgway

Attribution Non-Commercial
Uploaded Nov 18, 2020. Captured Nov 5, 2020 14:42 in 74 Manestar Rd, Beaconsfield Upper VIC 3808, Australia.
  • TG-6
  • f/4.9
  • 1/160s
  • ISO800
  • 18mm