Possible leaf hopper in a square crop

[JBW]

ISO 100 ~ F/16 ~ 1/50s ~ Natural Light ~ Fiji

[Shadowman]

Nicely done.

[JBW]

Nicely done.

It was a difficult almost high noon bright sunlight shot.

[Geoff F]

Good clear photo, Brian.

The only thing I question is the term 'hopper'. Most of the leaf/plant hoppers have some form of modified rear leg. This one appears to have all regular legs which makes me wonder about a Capsid or Mirid Bug instead. Miridae family.

There are so many bugs in so many different forms and a great many which look rather similar. That all goes to make identification tricky, although this still a fascinating subject.

[madcrow]

Another brilliant image, sharp with great detail.

[JBW]

Good clear photo, Brian.

The only thing I question is the term 'hopper'. Most of the leaf/plant hoppers have some form of modified rear leg. This one appears to have all regular legs which makes me wonder about a Capsid or Mirid Bug instead. Miridae family.

There are so many bugs in so many different forms and a great many which look rather similar. That all goes to make identification tricky, although this still a fascinating subject.

I'll be posting another angle. I was hoping that the two tusk like things below the eyes would help to identify but after an hour of surfing no luck so far.

[JBW]

Another brilliant image, sharp with great detail.

Now if I can just figure out what it is

[Stagecoach]

Now if I can just figure out what it is

Possibly a moth Brian, many of the ones I have shot have similar 'tusks'.

[JBW]

Possibly a moth Brian, many of the ones I have shot have similar 'tusks'.

I'll look. But the antennae are not featherlike

[Wavelength]

Excellent image, Brian

[Geoff F]

Many moths have straight antennae like that; but those spurs at the base of its tibiae suggest a bug to me. Ideally, a shot of its mouth to see if it has an insect like feeding tube would be helpful

[JBW]

Many moths have straight antennae like that; but those spurs at the base of its tibiae suggest a bug to me. Ideally, a shot of its mouth to see if it has an insect like feeding tube would be helpful

If you blow it up in light box you can see a coiled feeding tube{?} that looks like a butterfly / moth feeding tube.

[JBW]

Many moths have straight antennae like that; but those spurs at the base of its tibiae suggest a bug to me. Ideally, a shot of its mouth to see if it has an insect like feeding tube would be helpful

It was an interesting challenge to bring out the spurs and possible feeding tube. Not the prettiest shot but it might answer your question.

[rpcrowe]

Nice capture Brian. Have you ever tried using a reflector for some fill light?

[NorthernFocus]

Whatever it is, Brian, it's nicely captured. A nice clean image and made the most of harsh lighting conditions. Considering how far/fast you've come along and the equipment you've had at your disposal, you ROCK !

[JBW]

Nice capture Brian. Have you ever tried using a reflector for some fill light?

Yes I have and the insects were not pleased.

[rpcrowe]

Brian, I can imagine that! People are often not pleased with reflected light... However, I also sometimes use a reflector as a scrim to place the subject in a shadow...

[bnnrcn]

Good one Brian

[Geoff F]

With the enlargement, Brian, it certainly appears to have a rather 'hairy' texture like many of the day flying moths.

[RandyRFJP]

It might be a species of Arctiid moth, possibly Oeonistis altica.
See: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings...018/fullscreen
and then do a google image search for Oeonistis altica