Philaenus spumarius

Common; agricultural pest

June to September

Parks, meadows, gardens, fields.

⅜″ long

This is a small, jumping insect.

The adult is wedge-shaped, heavy-bodied, and about ⅜″ long. It has a blunt, rounded head, large eyes, and very short antennae. It has specialized, needle-like mouth parts enabling it to suck on plant parts. The body is usually tan to dull brown, sometimes gray or mottled, and is variably patterned with brown, black and white. There are only 1 or 2 spines on the hind tibia. The wings have raised veins and are held like a tent over the body.

The nymph is shaped similar to the adult but is smaller, about ¼″ long. In the first stage (instar) of growth the nymph is orange and wingless. In the second through fourth stages it is yellow and wingless. In the fifth (last) stage it is pale green and it develops wings. Nymphs produce frothy masses (spittle). The spittle may contain one or several nymphs, and is the primary indication of the presence of spittlebugs.

A wide variety of plants, but especially red clover (Trifolium pratense) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa ssp. sativa).

Over 400 species of plants, especially red clover (Trifolium pratense), alfalfa (Medicago sativa ssp. sativa), wheat (Triticum aestivum), common oat (Avena sativa), corn (Zea mays), and garden strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa).

Only one generation is produced each year. In late August and September, masses of up to 18 to 51 eggs are deposited 3″ to 6″ above the ground between a leaf sheath and stem of a host plant. The eggs overwinter and hatch in late April and May. Newly hatched nymphs immediately begin feeding where they hatch, near the base of the plant. They pierce the plant and suck on the sap. Later, they move up the plant, seeking sheltered, humid areas, such as leaf sheaths and folded leaves, or producing masses of spittle on tender foliage and blossom clusters. The spittle protects the nymphs from predators and from drying out. The nymph matures in June after 5 to 8 weeks.

Adults do not produce spittle. They are relatively slow moving, but are the champion jumpers among insects, able to jump up to 27½″ vertically. The jump is powerful, generating up to 400 gravities, and produces an audible thump.

Sources: 7.

Most infected plants wilt and become stunted, resulting in reduced yield.