Froghopper/Spittlebug
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Froghopper, Common ‘Spittlebugs’ .jpg) Here’s another pest that looks worse than it is, the aptly named Froghopper or Spittlebug (Cercopidae Family). Froghoppers/Spittlebugs are related to leafhoppers, but have a broader body. The adults are dull colored tan, brown or black and about 1/8 - 1/4 inch (3-6mm)long, with wings. They also have faces that resemble frogs and are sometimes call Froghoppers. There are some 23,000 species of spittlebugs. Yet most gardeners have never seen one. That’s because Froghoppers/spittlebugs are very good at hiding. That mass of froth you see on your plant isn’t there to do your plant harm. Froghopper/Spittlebug nymphs can turn a liquid secretion into bubbles by moving or pumping their bodies. Once the bubbles have formed, spittlebugs use their hind legs to cover themselves with the froth. The ‘spittle’ serves multiple purposes; it shields the froghoppers/spittlebugs from predators; insulates them from temperature extremes, and it prevents the froghoppers/spittlebugs from dehydrating Susceptible Plants- Roses, rosemary, lawn turf, and numerous outdoor and undercover plants. Junipers and pine trees are froghopper/spittlebug favorites. Life Cycle- Froghopper/Spittlebug eggs are laid in late summer and are left to over winter on plant debris. The eggs will hatch in early spring and go through five Instars, or stages, before becoming adults. When the nymphs originally hatch in early spring, they will attach themselves to a plant and begin feeding. They are a wingless, green creature at this point and are almost invisible inside the spittle.
Symptoms- Young shoots may become distorted or wilt. Flowers may be damaged. The white ‘cuckoo’ spit if investation is extensive which causes disfiguring.
Prevention and Control - Although froghopper/spittlebug nymphs do feed on plant sap, the damage is minimal and populations are typically small, so usually no pesticide is necessary. A strong blast with a hose should be enough to dislodge a spittlebug nymph. They’ll be gone in a few weeks anyway. In extreme cases, they can cause stunting and weaken plants or reduce yields. If you should have a severe infestation, remove plant debris in the fall and till the soil to reduce froghopper/spittlebug egg population.
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