Geared Up For Hopping

I first discovered these tiny treehopper nymphs last year and today found my first of 2020. They feed on ivy sap and are able to deactivate the poisonous saponins. They have a 'shaving brush' of waxy filaments on the tip of their abdomen which serves to confuse predators. On their legs they have the only mechanical gears found in nature. These toothed gears on their joints allow them to jump straight forward.

I think I saw a great white egret fly over this morning and this afternoon I shot a red kite with a 3F label attached to its wing.