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Passionvine hopper (Scolypopa australis) Common name &#039;Fluffybum&#039; these must be having a party with fireworks coming out of their rear ends. <br />
Hundreds of tiny flatid planthopper nymphs appeared on our Kangaroo Apple (Solanum aviculare) <br />
The tails are made from uric acid crystals and often refract light into a rainbow of colour. Adult <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/36411/passion-vine_hopper_scolypopa_australis.html" title="Passion-vine Hopper  = Scolypopa australis"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/2766/36411_thumb.JPG?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1763596810&Signature=ZTDUp7Qp079dYWXl45Dm2LgkFag%3D" width="200" height="140" alt="Passion-vine Hopper  = Scolypopa australis  Australia,Geotagged,Passionvine hopper,Scolypopa australis,Summer" /></a></figure> <br />
About 4mm long with mottled brown and white bodies. <br />
Sometimes the sunlight catches their crystalline tails to display a rainbow spectrum like a tiny fireworks display.<br />
Suburban back yard. Australia,Geotagged,Scolypopa australis,Spring,ricaniidae Click/tap to enlarge Species introCountry intro

Passionvine hopper (Scolypopa australis)

Common name 'Fluffybum' these must be having a party with fireworks coming out of their rear ends.
Hundreds of tiny flatid planthopper nymphs appeared on our Kangaroo Apple (Solanum aviculare)
The tails are made from uric acid crystals and often refract light into a rainbow of colour. Adult

Passion-vine Hopper  = Scolypopa australis  Australia,Geotagged,Passionvine hopper,Scolypopa australis,Summer

About 4mm long with mottled brown and white bodies.
Sometimes the sunlight catches their crystalline tails to display a rainbow spectrum like a tiny fireworks display.
Suburban back yard.

    comments (1)

  1. omg, I'd kill to get these in front of my macro lens, I love these weirdos :) Posted 9 years ago

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"Scolypopa australis" is a species of planthopper in the insect family Ricaniidae found in Australia. Despite their name, they are found not only on passion vines, but on many different plant species such as the lantana.

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

By Mark Ridgway

All rights reserved
Uploaded Mar 2, 2016. Captured Dec 17, 2012 00:46 in 8 Alexandra St, Upper Ferntree Gully VIC 3156, Australia.
  • EX-Z2000
  • f/3.4
  • 1/60s
  • ISO100
  • 8.46mm