Cave Creature - Oeclidius

Moved

Moved from Oeclidius nanus.

… Solomon V. Hendrix, 26 February, 2025 - 9:45am

Moved

Moved from Cixiid Planthoppers.

… John R. Maxwell, 17 September, 2010 - 4:15pm

Oeclidius brickellus

This was associated with a photo of the adult, taken by the same photographer.

… Andy Hamilton, 17 September, 2010 - 4:03pm

Fulgaroid Nymph

Received e-mails from a few people on this. Here's a couple:

Andy Hamilton - "It's a Fulgoroid nymph, probably Cixiidae as these nymphs feed on the roots of plants and are often found in caves."

Lois O'Brien - "You do indeed have a rare find. It surely is a cixiid nymph-they are known to live in caves in Mexico, Hawaii in lava tubes, and Australia. They are blind, and find each other by substrate stridulation. Hoch and Asche who studied them in Hawaii said the sound was transmitted as far for them as would be a mile for us. They feed on the roots of plants, as the ones who come to the surface as adults, but some become adult in caves. I have seen one adult from California, and one nymph from another cave there."

… Jillian H. Cowles, 9 March, 2009 - 11:58pm

very cool

Nice match. Here is a critter in the Guide that looks *very* similar. Neat find!!

… Kevin Hall, 10 March, 2009 - 12:09am

Does anyone else think...

... that the projections on the side of the head look similar to those seen in some planthoppers?

… Carmen Champagne, 8 March, 2009 - 9:56pm

Plant hoppers

Yes. That's why Andy Hamilton's name was suggested - that's his area of specialty.

… Jillian H. Cowles, 8 March, 2009 - 10:00pm

Facinating! What would it be feeding on in a cave?

Can't wait to hear what Dr Hamilton has to say about this one!

… john and jane balaban, 8 March, 2009 - 8:15pm

How about...

an early instar of:

… Chuck Entz, 8 March, 2009 - 9:10pm

Hopper

Probably not a roach, but by interestingly enough found in the same cave as the animal you suggested.

… Jillian H. Cowles, 8 March, 2009 - 10:02pm

Andy Hamilton

Me too! I sent some higher resolution pictures to him. If he doesn't post here, I'll post whatever reply I get from him.

… Jillian H. Cowles, 8 March, 2009 - 8:54pm

feeding in the dark

Fungi, molds (also fungi, I know), bacteria, guano (and whatever might live in that), other cave critters...

Pretty cool stuff any way about it...can't wait to hear what the experts say either.

… Kevin Hall, 8 March, 2009 - 8:45pm