Leafhopper Lighting
Many different insects come to a moth light set-up. Among the tiny critters that appeared at Jim Durbin’s moth lighting demonstration the other night were leafhoppers. Leafhoppers are sometimes the drabbest and at other times, the most colorful of the tiny insects. There were several lime green ones with red eyes and reticulated patterns seemingly stenciled on their wings.
We used BugGuide and other sources to determine the species is probably: Rugosana manua. Some people called it Gyponana (rugosana) manua.
After seeing the top one in pristine condition, the next one was not. Its wings are a bit worn and the pattern fading. The image was kept because of the much tinier speciman at the upper left. It has red eyes and a very faint pattern and is probably a much younger version of the same species. The adults are about 3/8 inch (10 mm) long, which makes the little one less than 1/8 inch (3 mm).
Looking closely at the world is easier with the output of a digital camera and macro lens. There is something magical about the tiny members of our world.