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Aphids, Scale Insects, Leafhoppers, and Tree Hoppers

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WTB Down Under?

Unidentified Shovel Nosed Hemiptera (Aussietrev)
Sun, Dec 21, 2008 at 2:37 PM
Hi Guys,
Found this guy on a Gum Tree but cannot get an ID worked out. Possibly in the Spittle bug family but cannot find anything similar. Hoping someone can help with the ID for this weird looking guy.
Merry Xmas and thanks for all the great work you guys have put in this year, especially with the new website.
aussietrev
Queensland (Capricornia Region)

Hi Daniel,
This morning I posted a weird shovel nosed critter which I have since had identified, at least to family, by Dave Britton, collections manager of Entomology at the Australian Museum.
He said that is a leafhopper (Cicadellidae) in the tribe Ledrini. This webpage covers most of what is known about them.
http://www.agric.nsw.gov.au/Hort/ascu/leafhop/cica16b.htm
Looking through the closest match I found was Platyledra caldida Evans. Apparently this group is exclusive to Australia and is the largest leaf hopper in the world growing to 28mm.
The one in the picture I sent would have been very close to that.
Merry Xmas and Happy New Year to all at WTB,
regards,
Trevor Jinks

Hi Trevor,
Thanks for sending your Leafhopper image and also for providing a link to a great resource page.  We have been struggling to address our Christmas cards, and have been neglecting posting letters to the website in a timely manner.

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