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Cuckoo spit I don&#039;t know the species of insect that deposited this, I just thought it was rather beautiful!<br />
The &#039;spit&#039; is produced by the nymphs of Froghoppers (Cercopoidea) which are known as &#039;Spittlebugs&#039;. The nymph blows bubbles around itself which serves to protect it against predators and maintain moisture whilst it feeds off the plant. <br />
Adult froghoppers jump from plant to plant; some species can jump up to 70 cm vertically: a more impressive performance relative to body weight than fleas. The froghopper can accelerate at 4,000 m/s2 over 2mm as it jumps (experiencing over 400 gs of acceleration). Spittlebugs can jump 100 times their length. Geotagged,South Africa,Spring,cuckoo spit,froghoppers,insects,nymphs,spittlebugs Click/tap to enlarge

Cuckoo spit

I don't know the species of insect that deposited this, I just thought it was rather beautiful!
The 'spit' is produced by the nymphs of Froghoppers (Cercopoidea) which are known as 'Spittlebugs'. The nymph blows bubbles around itself which serves to protect it against predators and maintain moisture whilst it feeds off the plant.
Adult froghoppers jump from plant to plant; some species can jump up to 70 cm vertically: a more impressive performance relative to body weight than fleas. The froghopper can accelerate at 4,000 m/s2 over 2mm as it jumps (experiencing over 400 gs of acceleration). Spittlebugs can jump 100 times their length.

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View Claire Hamilton's profile

By Claire Hamilton

All rights reserved
Uploaded Dec 12, 2014. Captured Dec 11, 2014 10:57 in Unnamed Road, South Africa.
  • Canon EOS 70D
  • f/14.0
  • 1/250s
  • ISO250
  • 100mm