Very small hopper like insect - baffled once again!

[Geoff F]

Just inland from the S. Devon Coast Path.

Not much happening when a Meadow Grasshopper strolled into view. I said that I wasn't really interested in another one of them but she insisted on being photographed.

Then when I was processing the photos I noticed a strange very small alien like whitish creature standing between the grasshopper's legs.



I have done my best to get a viewable image but have absolutely no idea what it is. Looks a bit hopper like but with a 'barn owl' face.

Anybody recognise it? Perhaps a rather ugly fairy!

[Jason Green]

Afternoon Geoff,

You know what, I didn't even see the grasshopper's legs! It looks like a Macrosteles sp., to me Cicadellidae. See here... [ID] Leafhopper: Cicadella viridis?

Take care,

Jason

[Acutipuerilis]

It is indeed a Macrosteles sp. - one of many deltocephaline leafhoppers. This is actually the typical size for one this group; it's only when dwarfed by a giant like a grasshopper that we can really appreciate it!

[Gerel]

Auchenorrhyncha (froghoppers, leafhoppers, lacehoppers etc.) are a group that I'd not really taken much notice of before this year. In fact, apart from "cuckoo spit" and the large, red and black Cercopis vulnerata, I was barely aware of their existence

Once you become aware of them though you start finding them all over the place and, on a small scale, they can be as colourful and "exotic" as any of our insects (although often not the easiest to identify - hence all my ID requests to Joe, Tristan et al ).

They will make you want to spend lots of money on macro gear though if you start trying to get decent shots of them.


Steve

[Geoff F]

I still think it looks like a grumpy fairy!

Yes Macrosteles sp. it is. There are a lot of versions to choose from and this appears to be a specialist subject so I'm sticking with the family name.

I'm currently using a Sigma 180 macro, Steve, with a Canon 40D and a heavyweight Manfrotto tripod, so I'm already well down the poverty road!

[Acutipuerilis]

Very wise, Geoff! Macrosteles is notorious as one of the really hard genera, and most of them need dissection to separate. Luckily several are rare, which narrows the likely field a bit, but they're still a nightmare!