What do you need to know about spittlebugs?
1 A spittlebug is the larval or young form of an adult insect called a froghopper. 2 Their byproduct of bubbly foam can resemble spittle but contains no saliva. 3 Spittlebug foam can be unsightly, but one or two of the larvae will not significantly harm a plant.
What should I do if I find a spittlebug on my lawn?
Wipe off the foam with a cloth or paper towl and pick up any larvae that you may spot. If you see larvae, drop them into a bucket of soapy water. A final non-chemical solution is to spray down your lawn and plants with a garden hose to rinse away any spittlebug nymphs, adults or eggs.
How is a spittlebug related to a leafhopper?
The spittlebug lays eggs on old plant debris to overwinter. The eggs hatch in early spring, at which time the young attach themselves to the host plant and begin to feed. The young go through five stages before reaching adulthood. Spittlebugs are related to leafhoppers, and the adults are 1/8 to ¼ inch long and they have wings.
How did the spittle bug get its name?
They get their name due to the foamy substance looking like spittle. Once the spittlebug has formed up a nice group of bubbles, they will use their hind legs to cover themselves with the foamy substance. The spittle protects them from predators, temperature extremes and helps keep them from dehydrating.
What kind of bug is a spittle bug?
Spittlebugs, also called froghoppers, are sucking insects that belong to the superfamily Cercopidae. They spread widely across North America. Some of the well-known spittlebugs are Two-lined spittlebug, Dogwood, Meadow, Saratoga or Diamondback spittlebug.
How did the two lined spittlebug get its name?
The two-lined spittlebug ( Prosapia bicinta) is the most common spittlebug in the United States. The name spittlebug comes from the spittle-like froth they produce. But, that is not really a spittle – it is a product of the plant’s sap they feed on and they release it from the back parts of their bodies.
Where does a spittlebug feed on a strawberry?
The immature bugs feed face down on the stem, and as excess sap is excreted out the anus, A spittlebug nymph peeks out from a mass of bubbles on a strawberry leaf. it is mixed with a substance secreted by epidermal glands that enhances surface viscosity and stabilizes the foam to make it last longer.
Is there any way to get rid of spittlebug nymphs?
Although spittlebug nymphs do feed on plant sap, the damage is minimal, and populations are usually small, so 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.
How many species of spittle bugs are there?
There are some 23,000 species of spittlebugs, yet most gardeners have never seen one. That’s because spittlebugs are very good at hiding. That mass of froth you see on your plant isn’t there to do your plant harm.