Jassid (leafhopper)
Posted: May 17th, 2016, 5:17 pm
For some time now, I had been wondering what the ants are doing congregating on a branch of Melaleuca leucadendra which I recently bought from a nursery. Close inspection seemed to reveal only ants. The plant is doing nothing since I pruned and repotted it, so I was wondering about insect pests (plenty of its leaves have been eaten by something).
Anyway, today I probed into the groove between the papery bark and the primary branch where the ants were so excited. This is what came out:
About 2/3 the length of the ants attending it, and a bit fatter in the body. A bit of research tells me it is a nymph in the Eurymela family, otherwise known as a Jassid, or leafhopper. They specialise on young eucalypts (and obviously Mels). Unfortunately, I can't blame my Mel's dormancy on one little nymph.
Anyway, today I probed into the groove between the papery bark and the primary branch where the ants were so excited. This is what came out:
About 2/3 the length of the ants attending it, and a bit fatter in the body. A bit of research tells me it is a nymph in the Eurymela family, otherwise known as a Jassid, or leafhopper. They specialise on young eucalypts (and obviously Mels). Unfortunately, I can't blame my Mel's dormancy on one little nymph.