(Photo and article by Anita Fernandez)

This small member of the True Bug family of insects (also called Hemiptera) is a very common resident in many gardens, but because of its size is easily overlooked. At only about ¼ of an inch, the Red-banded Leafhopper, also called the Candy-striped Leafhopper, is diminutive but colorful. It has eye-catching red and blue bands on its wings, a yellow body, and a black stripe around its head. Surprisingly, the leafhopper’s striking appearance is not its coolest trait. Leafhoppers have elongated legs that it uses to jump long distances in search of food or to escape predators. They emerge in the spring, and you can find them all the way until the first frost of the fall, which is unusual in the insect world. What is exceptional, though, are the nanoparticles called brochosomes that these leafhoppers produce. The particles are water-repellent and anti-reflective, providing a protective coating to the leafhopper’s body. The insect excretes the milky particles and then rubs them over its body and wings. This coating keeps debris from sticking to them, keeps them dry from dew and rain, and reduces their reflection so they are better hidden from predators. Pretty cool, huh? Many people agree, because these nanoparticles have been instrumental in the development of sunscreens, moisture-resistant medication coatings, and even to improve harvesting solar energy! A fascinating little “bug” indeed.