PCT’s 2026 Photo Contest Winner Captures Alien-Like Nymph Insect

CLEVELAND – PCT announced that Mitchell Johnson, IPM service manager, FSS, Westfield, Ind., captured this year’s PCT Best Pest Photo Contest with his entry of a buffalo treehopper nymph.

Johnson took this otherworldly photo of the nymph in Cicero, Ind., using a technique called focus stacking. The photo technique took a lot more work than what meets the eye.

“I used a macro lens, and I used a Raynox DCR-250, which is almost like a big magnifying glass for your lens,” Johnson said. “Instead of having a six-inch minimum focal distance, I can actually get [it] where my lens is almost touching the insect.” 

Due to the proximity of Johnson’s lens to the buffalo treehopper nymph, he said it took over 300 images to fully capture the insect. “I had to take those [photos] and merge those to get the image,” he said.

Mitchell Johnson

When Johnson first came across the buffalo treehopper nymph, he said he had to learn was about this pest. “I had to do research; like what in the world is this gnarly looking thing? I found out that it’s in nymph form,” Johnson said. “It’s a very vulnerable life stage for that insect, so they are not that common to see because of their camouflage.”

Johnson combines his passions of the outdoors and photography. He said he also likes capturing memories with his family and others. “It’s always fun to have these images that you can look back on and provide for other people,” he said.

PCT judges believed the photo was special for its bright, neon colors that made the insect appear alien-like. The focus stacking technique also impressed the judges.

As IPM service manager at FSS in Westfield, Ind., Johnson trains technicians and works with customers and in sales.

PCT will be running a slideshow of the winning photo and 10 finalist photos online and potentially in the pages of PCT.