Tree hoppers are very similar to Cicadas, and belong to the same Superfamily; Coccoidea, in the Hemiptera Order (which includes all bugs). Females lay eggs on tree branches, then the nymphs hatch, fall to the ground, and burrowing in with their front legs. They feed on the tree roots, drinking sap for several years before emerging in early Summer, to climb out of their shell and fly off as an adult pictured here.

This example was found in leaf litter at the Manna Park Hostel, and is likely to occur throughout the forest. It is a similar size to a Blowfly, photographed here on a 1mm grid.

It has a sap-sucking probiscus (mouth-part which extends under the body), dome-like head and metallic blue colour with white spots. Under the wings rich blue and orange colours can be seen.

Click on any of the pictures shown at right to download a higher resolution image (T. Hastings 8/9/2009).