#siphanta

although i handle plenty of shy animals for easier photos, Siphanta acuta is definitely not one of them, as they're usually happy enough standing completely still on their branch of choice and bothering them for a better angle will just result in them jumping away. so it's certainly a surprise that this one ended up on my finger somehow and was so polite about it

Brain has been bad, so I drew a Siphanta acuta (leafhopper/plabthopper). I love these guys so much, they have vein patterns to look like leaves and little red snoots. 😭 Gonna turn him into a sticker.

as Siphanta acuta nymphs mature they like to cover their surroundings in wax for some reason, with later instars often remaining motionless in their lint lairs. this younger child decided to do it on a bramble stem, which was something i was already not particularly eager to touch

a Siphanta acuta planthopper wasting its camouflage by conspicuously leaning against an oak bud. it might be feeding, but i don't think i see these guys on oaks very often. their preferred host plants seem to be Acacia, which suits me fine, since they're horribly invasive

Siphanta acuta adults look like budding leaves and late instar nymphs are the same shade of green despite lacking the wings that make them look like a walking triangle. younger nymphs like this one on the other hand are a much more conspicuous white and pink for some reason, and the only thing they're good at blending in with is their own waxy ass