Monday, October 5, 2009

Treehopper

When I was having my fun time taking pictures of flowers, I discovered that there was a tiny critter having a rest at the other side. You may think I had found a colourful butterfly, in fact it was not. Its body length is approximately the size of a grain of rice.

The title of this post should have told you it is a treehopper (I am quite sure it is although I cannot find an exact match), which I did not know earlier, otherwise I would like to know how a treehopper hops at that day.

"Treehopper is a group of insects related to the cicadas which can be found on all continents except Antarctica, although there are only three species in Europe".

The name treehopper may have suggested that it is an active insect, however it stayed still the whole session I was with him. That was why I only managed to get the picture in a fixed angle. Then you may ask again, ha ha!! I could not move for another angle as well. I was standing beside a slope.

"Male and female treehoppers signal to one another as part of the mating process. Some aggressive males use signals to "jam" the communication of another male with a female".


Looking at the black dot on top of its body, is this its eye? Then, it should be watching at me for all the time.

But I did not aware at all. Similarly, I must have neglected many other things as well, which I do not know until now.

29 comments:

Joanne Olivieri said...

He certainly is unique and wears a beautiful color. I have never heard of these but you captured him beautifully in these closeups.

WiseAcre said...

Wow, that's some bug. Looks like a little jewel or a button on a singing cowboys shirt :)

Bangchik and Kakdah said...

They do have watchful eyes, their eyes proportionately bigger than ours..... just as grasshoppers!! Really Rainnie... we have been watched by the "thing" of the third encounter! haha... ~bangchik

Kirigalpoththa said...

That is a very unusual critter..very colourful too.

Salitype said...

i have never seen a treehopper before but i got to say, this one is stunning,the color is absolutely fantastic! it simply stand out stand out!

and beware its looking at you!!!LOL

rainfield61 said...

Poetic Shutterbug: I have not seen it before as well. I kept these pictures for a long month until I finally managed to identify it.

WiseAcre: But I missed to check how well it can hop. There will be a second chance.

Bangchik and Kakdah: As you walk and do whatever thing, better behave yourself, you are being watched. lol.

Kirigalpoththa: I agree. It is very unusual because our eyes won't easily see it.

Salitype: The minute thing displays such a stunning look. It may be in compensation to its size. The design of Nature.

Ginnymo said...

You sure do have some unusual bugs and wildlife over there. This one is pretty though!

•°°• IcyBC •°°• said...

Very unique creature, and beautiful color! What a neat thing to see, and thanks for showing it..

Anonymous said...

"Some aggressive males use signals to "jam" the communication of another male with a female".

We humans are not very different from these creatures.

Tes said...

Oh wow, Rainy, this creature reminds me of my childhood days. There were plenty of those in my grandpas garden. So it's called cicada. I didn't even know that!

Nice capture!

maricar said...

great shots rain!

you are lucky to be in the nature and enjoy those wonderful creatures, thanks for sharing them rain.

Cherry said...

have never seen one before, interesting little creature greatly captured!

Bengbeng said...

it is beautiful. my first thought was it was a butterfly die to its bright attractive colors

rainfield61 said...

Ginnymo: They are hard to be seen, those which are visible are hard to be captured. Very irritating!!!

Icy BC: This was found merely by luck, then it took weeks to identify it.

Mei Teng: I have expected this comment to come from one of you.Ha ha!! You are the one.

Tes: Those cicadas are very noisy. I do not know how is the one. It had never told me.

maricar: I am so lucky to be able to walk and hike around, and to take as many pictures as possible too.

Cher: City folk may not see this, I think. Come over to Penang one day, you'll enjoy a lot.

Bengbeng: Yes, it did look like a dead butterfly with bright attractive colours.

George said...

You have a great eye to see this treehopper, let alone to get these good pictures. I'm sorry it didn't move so you could get a different view, but it certainly is colorful.

VanillaSeven said...

Thats a very close up shot you got rainfield! It looks like insect from Alien movies. Amazing!

Unknown said...

Your camera must have some good lenses to capture such shots. What a unique creature.

life ramblings said...

that's a lovely macro shot of the creature. i've never seen anything like that before.

Rick (Ratty) said...

I like the blue color of this bug. You did some good research on it. It's fun to find out about strange little creatures like this one.

Autumn Belle said...

I really thought it was a butterfly. I have never seen a treehopper before. Thanks for sharing this amazing discovery. That's the beauty of hiking. Rainfield, would you like to join our community at Blotanical?

rainfield61 said...

George: In comparision to your great waterfalls, this treehopper is far too minute. lol.

VanillaSeven: Before I can identify this insect,I almost wanted to give up and categorize it as an Aliean.

Cate: Yes, I managed this with the help of technology, both hardware and software.

life ramblings: Then this is the first time, I am glad you get it first hand from MyJourney.

Ratty: Research is always time consumption and frustrating, as what you have experienced. Sigh.. but am feeling great for the result!!

Redzlan aka Tabib said...

My first time seeing this beautiful creature. Beautiful macro.

The Retired One said...

Thanks for the photo of one..I have never seen this creature before..very interesting!

cherie said...

looking at you, rainy? probably jamming you...mwahaha

Anna Nida said...

Aritcle narated on the small insect lying the green leaf is interesting to read and I enjoyed it.. thanks.

rainfield61 said...

Tabib: I have my many first times to watch your beautiful birds at your blog, toooo.

The Retired One: It is very interesting to know that many of you have not seen this creature. At least, I have served my purpose.

cherie: You better watch around!! There must be something watching at you as well.

Anna Nida: Thnaks for your visit. Have a great day.

Ayie said...

i think it's my first time seeing that treehopper or maybe i just miss to see it since you said it's really small.

on a slope? better be cautious!

Cherie said...

you're a riot, rainfield, lol!

triacme said...

HI its informative..................