Can anyone ID this critter?

[Tortoise]

This fascinating fellow appeared on the kitchen bench, probably having hitched a ride from the vegie patch.

He can jump about 60cm vertically, as I discoverered after the photo shoot. Pardon the hand-held close-ups

His body was maybe 2mm long - that's a knife handle he's on.

Attachments

a face [].jpg (112.34 KiB) Viewed 8231 times

a 2 [].jpg (112.8 KiB) Viewed 8231 times

aphid 4 [].jpg (65.25 KiB) Viewed 8231 times

[ollster]

I just keep staring at it!

It looks kinda like a tick or a mite, but only in passing.

[matagi]

I'm no entomologist, but I think it is a psyllid. If I am right, that hairy thing is a lerp.

[corvus]

Could be an immature Vine Leaf Hopper (never seen one up close like your photo) I give them a good pyrethrum spray as they are rife in the garden now ,they develop into this.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Scoly ... _nymph.jpg
corvus n

[photohiker]

Passion Vine Hopper? http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2006/02/11/ ... ne-hopper/

Found this by searching for corvus' suggestion.

[Tortoise]

Thanks, guys. Looks like you've got him nailed. I sure got a surprise, never having come across such a beastie before.
I was with you, Ollster - couldn't stop staring. Had a bit of trouble believing my eyes.

[awildland]

Just thought I'd mention...The Australian Museum website allows you to submit photos of animals etc for ID by their experts...we've used it a couple of times (for a lizard and a caterpillar). It's an excellent service.

[Tortoise]

Didn't know about that - ta!