Lantern bugs hatching

[Chiniensis]

One of my Zanna Lantern bug ootheca has hatched. The nymphs popped out yesterday and it was fascinating to watch as their heads appeared, noses bent. First they unfurled their noses, then they carried on with the emerging process. Initially they are white but they soon darken. Eventually they are black with white fluff on their rears and a white tip to their long noses.

The next hurdle is to see if they eat. So far most of them have stayed on the bark where the ootheca was laid. Only a few have ventured onto the branches of the tree and they are so small that it is impossible to see if they are eating or not.

Any ideas what fulgoridae nymphs eat?

David

 

[D_Hemptress]

thats really cool. for some reason i find these very interesting.... was it you who posted the picture of the adult lantern bug awhile back?

 

[sally]

Those are amazing creatures !

 

[hibiscusmile]

really wicked! :stuart:

 

[Chiniensis]

Thanks for comments.

D-hemptress - yes, it was me that posted the photos of the adults.

 

[brancsikia339]

Awesome! How are you getting them to eat?

 

[jrh3]

to they light up hints the lantern bug name? they are very cool looking .

 

[Chiniensis]

So far I have no idea if they are eating or not. Some are on the stems of the tree but they are too small to see if they are eating - they are in a netting cage, which makes very close observation hard (and poor eyesight on my side!).

There is no lighting ability with these bugs. A few weeks ago we went to Kuala Selangor and watched the fireflies - a very different game. The river bank is covered in thousands+ of fireflies pulsing their lights in synchronised flashes. The first time we saw it we were suspicious that we were the victims of a prank and that someone had strung fairy lights along the bank but once the boat got closer we could see they were real. If you ever come to Malaysia try to see them. Each year the effect gets less as pollution and general habitat destruction takes it toll, but its still worth the trip.

But - Lantern bugs? Nothing at all. It is the funny red blob on the end of the noses of some species that look like they should light up.

 

[Orin]

Do you know what kind of living plant stem the species you have drinks juices from in the wild?

 

[Chiniensis]

The adults have been feeding on mango. I now have a (potted) 6 foot mango tree in the living room! (And a very understanding wife.....) Apparently, they feed on several fruit trees and not as species specific as some of the other lantern bugs in Malaysia. I believe that there are several fulgoridae in the States - has anyone bred any of these? if so, do the nymphs feed on a different plant to the adults?

 

[Precarious]

Too cool!

 

[Orin]

The adults have been feeding on mango. I now have a (potted) 6 foot mango tree in the living room! (And a very understanding wife.....) Apparently, they feed on several fruit trees and not as species specific as some of the other lantern bugs in Malaysia. I believe that there are several fulgoridae in the States - has anyone bred any of these? if so, do the nymphs feed on a different plant to the adults?

I have reared only a few species of our little native USA leafhoppers like the buffalo hoppers and used very small rose plants in a screened aquairum. They have very interesting nymphal forms you don't normally see or notice anyway. We don't have any big species. Are you using a sleeve on a branch of you're tree?

 

[Chiniensis]

Small rose plants! Brilliant suggestion. Aphids and all sorts suck the sap from these, so they would be a good starting point. I will try to get some asap. The only problem in Malaysia is that everything is heavily sprayed with insecticide, so it will have stay outside in the rain for a week or longer after I bought it to clear the leaves, etc. But worth getting some in for the next batch of eggs to hatch.

Yes, the branch is sleeved. I have seen a few nymphs on mango leaves but through the netting it is impossible to see if they were eating. They tend to wander off after a few hours. I have one nymph that has sat on the join between a leaf and the branch for a couple of days now - maybe it is feeding.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[lancaster1313]

I have this kind and another kind of tree hopper on a Tamarind tree, (Lysiloma latisiliquum).

.
The parents stay with the young.

They just turn up on the tree every year and raise some young.

 

[jrh3]

those are very neat as well.