Planthopper nymph

This tiny bug looks like a small white flower that dropped on leaf. When disturbed, say, tab the leaf lightly then it will start moving. Diameter about one cm. Easily spotted at the area. Took me like an hour and hundreds of shots to finally got one with the bottom part i.e. the insect part of it with acceptable clear focus. I believe this is a nymph of planthopper, maybe Citrus Flatid Planthopper (Metcalfa pruinosa) cause they are frequently spotted at the same area.

comments (8)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Cool photo and great info, James. Well worth the effort. Posted 2 years ago
1. James Wong
  
  Giant Tortoise
  
  Thanks Ferdy! Posted 2 years ago

Albert Kang

Lion

Metcalfa pruinosa is a species of Planthopper from US & Europe.
Could they hop to South East Asia? Posted 2 years ago, modified 2 years ago
1. James Wong
  
  Giant Tortoise
  
  I could be wrong then, as I usually compare the colors and pattern with photos available online and choose the closest. If that source never mention about species distribution it could be wrong yes. Posted 2 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Here's a good site to check distribution data:
    Metcalfa pruinosa
    
    Just type in the species name in the search box and watch the map. Example:
    https://www.gbif.org/species/2068870 Posted 2 years ago
  2. 1. James Wong
      
      Giant Tortoise
      
      ya I checked similar maps after Albert's advise so it shouldn't be a citrus nymph. Posted 2 years ago

William Bodine

Lion

Diligence and patience paid off in a great photo. The blue colors look like UV light and waiting to get the yellow underside was well worth it.

With the advent of digital, everyone can afford to take hundreds of photos to get the best one. When I started photography it was all film and was costly to expose too many images. Film did make you slow down and think about focus, exposure, ISO, flash and speed before you pushed the button. Posted 2 years ago
1. James Wong
  
  Giant Tortoise
  
  Thanks William.
  It was most probably I messed up my white balance setting, being switching among different subjects that happens.
  
  One reason I have to do so many shoots was that moment I was on fully manual focus, gear was enlarging lens (I forgot if I did reverse it) with helicoid and tripod was not an option at a narrow trekking trail with regular passers by, so huh hand held was it. It is actually glad that I was on digital as I can immediately check on the focus accuracy.
  
  I do love film, some of my best film shots are still my best shots. Posted 2 years ago

No species identified

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By James Wong

Uploaded Aug 19, 2023. Captured in Plaza Tugu Negara, Pesiaran Sultan Salahuddin, Kuala Lumpur, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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