This sharpshooter leafhopper belongs to the genus Raphirhinus, a group of striking Neotropical insects famous for their elongated, needle-like head extensions. Native to South America, these specialized feeders sustain themselves primarily on nutrient-poor plant xylem. Within this genus, sexual dimorphism is highly pronounced: females are typically larger (reaching up to 15 mm) and boast vibrant, intricate patterns of green, orange, or bluish-black on their wings, accented by a bright yellow lateral stripe. Males, on the other hand, are smaller and dressed in drab brown—which led me to assume I had crossed paths with a rather modest gentleman! This was actually one of the very first photos I captured during my expedition to Yasuní National Park, taken back when I was still wrestling with my first, much more cumbersome macro gear. Looking back at it now, I’m still incredibly happy with how crisp and sharp the shot turned out.