The intricate protective cover of a psyllid nymph - formed by crystallised honeydew excreted by the bug. These nymphs turn into winged adult jumping plant lice. Toowong, QLD.
Busy meat ant (Iridomyrmex sp.) tends to a collection of lerps (Glycapsis sp.). The nymph on the left has lost it's protective lerp cover while the group on the right remain intact. The ants tend their charges between two gum leaves stitched together with silk. Mundubbera, QLD.
A colony of plant lice nymphs occupy space between two gumnut flower buds. Mundubbera, QLD.