The Planthopper Nymph's Dazzling Style of Protection

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Updated May 22, 2018

This Ricaniidae nymph looks like it has a spray of fiber optics behind it. (Photo: ChinKC/Shutterstock)

planthopper nymph with the fiber optic" Tail (planthopper nymph) — Meet the planthopper nymph, the insect with the 'fiber optic' tail. (Photo: Norjipin Saidi/Shutterstock)

A dazzling display

In the time between hatching and becoming full-grown adults, tiny planthopper nymphs put on a flashy show. The planthoppers can secrete a waxy substance from their abdomen that results in strange, fiber optic-like tails. These decorations serve at least two purposes: to encourage predators to "ooh, ahh" instead of eating them, and to help them glide as they fall.

planthopper nymph waxy protrusion — You can just begin to see the waxy protrusion from this nymph's back end. (Photo: zaidi razak/Shutterstock)

As the planthopper gets ready to do its favorite thing — hop around — it moves the waxy threads into a sleek line. It moves ever so slowly before making a great leap, and it can fan the threads back out for an extra boost while it's in the air.

The planthopper may seem large in the photo above, but in reality, it is so tiny that you might think it was a mote of dust flickering through the woods.

Ricaniidae planthopper nymph appears to have a fiber optic tail

Planthoppers, like their equally-wacky treehopper cousins, are fascinating to observe. But like caterpillars, the seemingly vulnerable insects can hold their own.

Ricaniidae nymph with colorful, fiber-optic style tail — This Ricaniidae nymph looks like it has a spray of fiber optics behind it. (Photo: ChinKC/Shutterstock)

Carly Brooke of The Featured Creature aptly compares the planthoppers' colorful protruding tails to fireworks. "The wax is hydrophobic, too, so these 'fireworks' stand no chance of rain delay," she writes on her site.

Planthopper nymph fluffy disguise camouflage — Some planthopper nymphs use the fluff as camouflage. (Photo: rhonny dayusasono/Shutterstock)

Different planthopper species have different extruding tails. The one above resembles a feathery dandelion, offering a clever form of camouflage.

Flatidae planthopper nymph also has a strange protrusion — (Photo: Karunakar Rayker/flickr)

Stranger yet is the spider-like tail of the flatid nymph here. Watch wildlife filmmaker Gordon Buchanan have a little fun with a group of "ridiculous" planthoppers in this clip from Smithsonian Channel's "Wild Burma: Chasing Tigers":