I know that people here like to see odd looking things (so do I), and so here are three odd looking Derbids.
The first species is Anotia uhleri. This shows a feature that is seen in many Derbids. Planthoppers had shortened their antennae to a mere stub, with an 'arista' bristle on the end (like many flies have also done). But it seems that Derbids have secondarily elongated their antennae again.
Next is one of my favorite species. This is Otiocerus wolfii . The antennae are extremely elongate, and they can be held outward or against the side of the head.
Finally, we have my favorite species which is Apache degeeri. It has very long antennae like the previous species.
This is an an old picture showing the first Derbid that I had seen. My background is in Entomology so I am accustomed to knowing what I am seeing, but these little insects were baffling!
Planthopper, family Derbidae by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrDerbid planthoppers are described as insects that feed on fungi in forest habitats, but the adults are more often seen sitting out on tree trunks and forest leaves. I find the adults by slowly walking down forest trails and looking on the undersides of leaves of various broad-leafed trees. They are fortunately rather calm, and seem to prefer just slowly walking away rather than jumping off and flying. So one can generally get a couple pictures in, and they are also easily captured and photographed in a staged shot.
