Top jumper.

The world's latest high-jump champ just might live in your backyard. Researchers at Cambridge University recently discovered that a common garden pest, the froghopper (Philaenus spumarius), can propel its tiny 6-millimeter body over half meter (2 feet) into the air. That's more than twice as high as the former record holder--the flea.

Not impressed? Consider this: The froghopper can leap more than 100 times its body length. Even the reigning human record holder, Cuban athlete Javier Sotomayor, has cleared only 2.45 m (8 ft)--a mere 1.3 times his own height. You'd have to jump a more than 213 m (700 ft) from a standing start to beat the froghopper's record.

Most animals jump in one of two ways. Some, like frogs and kangaroos, have long leg that give them lots of leverage (the mechanical action of a lever, or springing machine). Others, such as fleas and froghoppers, have short legs, but store large amounts of energy in their leg muscles--which they release like a catapult in one quick burst.

The froghopper's short hind legs feature a special locking mechanism, as well a bulky muscles that account for more than one tenth of its body weight. Before jumping, the insect locks its rear legs next to its body and contracts (squeezes) the muscles. Then, when a predator strikes, the bug releases its hind legs and lifts off in less than one thousandth of a second. Human high jumpers should be thankful that froghoppers aren't allowed to compete in next summer's Olympic games!