Spittlebugs are small insects known for the frothy spittle mass they produce while feeding on plants. They can be found on various plants such as ornamental grasses, roses, and strawberries, among others. Spittlebug nymphs pierce plant stems and suck plant juices, but typically do not cause significant damage to healthy plants.
Many people might wonder if spittlebugs can bite humans due to their feeding behavior on plants. The good news is that spittlebugs are harmless to people and do not bite or sting. They primarily feed on plants, making their impact on humans minimal.
To protect your garden from spittlebugs, monitor your plants for signs of their presence, like the characteristic frothy spittle. If you find them in your garden, you can remove them by hand or wash them off the plants with a strong jet of water. Overall, spittlebugs pose little threat to gardeners and are not a cause for concern when it comes to bites or stings.
What are Spittlebugs
Life Cycle
Spittlebugs, also known as froghoppers, belong to the insect order Hemiptera and the family Cercopidae. These small insects have a unique life cycle consisting of four stages: egg, nymph, and adult. After hatching from eggs, spittlebug nymphs go through several molts before becoming adults.
Nymphs and Adults
Nymphs are responsible for the characteristic frothy spittle mass found on plants. During this stage, they feed on plant juices by piercing stems and sucking out their sap. Some common plants nymphs feed on include ornamental grasses, roses, chrysanthemums, clover, strawberries, and herbs, among others1. Adults, on the other hand, are strong jumpers, earning them the name “froghoppers”. Adult spittlebugs are typically brown or black with a wedge shape, and they often have red or orange markings2.
Nymphs:
- Produce frothy spittle masses on plants
- Feed on a variety of plants
Adults:
- Strong jumpers
- Brown or black with a wedge shape
Common Species
There are over 30 species of spittlebugs in North America, with varying appearances and host plants3. Two of the most common species include the meadow spittlebug (Philaenus spumarius) and the two-lined spittlebug (Prosapia bicincta)4. Both species can cause damage to plants, but their impact is generally minimal and considered more of an aesthetic concern rather than a major threat to plant health.
| Species | Appearance | Host Plants |
|---|---|---|
| Meadow Spittlebug | Brownish-yellow with dark brown spots^2^ | Various trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perennials2 |
| Two-lined Spittlebug | Dark brown or black with two distinct red or orange lines2 | Various trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perennials2 |
Spittlebug Behavior and Impact on Plants
Feeding Habits
Spittlebugs are insects that feed on various plants by sucking their sap, this includes ornamental grasses, roses, clover, and other garden plants. The nymphs (young) pierce plant stems to access their juices. Adult spittlebugs, known as froghoppers, display similar feeding behavior.
Examples:
- Commonly affected plants: Strawberries, lavender, rosemary, roses, chrysanthemums, and clover
- Species: Pine spittlebug, two-lined spittlebug, and many others found worldwide
Damage to Plants
Spittlebugs can cause varying degrees of damage to plants, from mild to significant. In most cases, the damage caused to annuals and perennials is minimal. The two-lined spittlebug is one example that injects toxins into turfgrass, causing grass blades to turn yellow, brown, or purple.
| Mild Damage | Significant Damage | |
|---|---|---|
| Examples | Ornamental grasses | Turfgrass species |
| Common Signs | Slight distortion | Yellowing or browning |
Infestation Signs
The most noticeable sign of an infestation is the presence of spittlebugs’ characteristic “cuckoo spit” – a white frothy material. This foam serves as a protective mechanism and is secreted by the nymphs while they feed. They typically hide in plant debris or soil during unfavorable conditions like low humidity. In some cases, you might find multiple spittlebug nymphs sharing a single foam mass.
Key signs:
- White frothy material (cuckoo spit)
- Distorted plant leaves and stems
- Yellowing, browning, or purple grass blades
Host plants:
- Grasses, both ornamental and turfgrass species
- Strawberry plants
- Lavender, rosemary, roses, and chrysanthemums
Spittlebug Protection and Control Methods
Natural Predators
- Birds: Many bird species feed on spittlebugs, helping to control their population.
- Other insects: Some predatory insects, such as lady beetles and green lacewings, feed on spittlebug nymphs and can help to control their numbers.
Environmental Controls
- Drying out: Spittlebugs thrive in moist environments where they produce protective bubbles. Reducing excess moisture in your garden by properly watering and allowing the soil to dry out in between can limit spittlebug activity.
- Temperature: Spittlebugs are more active in warm temperatures. Implementing shady areas in your garden can help to keep the temperature cooler and reduce spittlebug activity.
- Plant selection: Spittlebugs are particularly attracted to certain plants, such as junipers, pine trees, legumes, goldenrod, and some garden plants. Opting for less attractive plants can help in deterring spittlebugs from your garden.
Chemical Controls
- Insecticides: Various insecticides can effectively control spittlebug populations. One common type is the pyrethroid class of insecticides, which includes substances like bifenthrin, permethrin, and others. Here are some pros and cons of using insecticides:
Pros
- Effective in reducing spittlebug populations
- Can protect garden plants from damage
Cons
- Can be harmful to beneficial insects
- May require multiple applications for complete control
| Method | Effectiveness | Impact on Beneficial Insects | Ease of Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Predators | High | Positive | Easy |
| Environmental Controls | Moderate | Neutral | Moderate |
| Chemical Controls | High | Negative | Moderate |
When dealing with spittlebugs, implementing a combination of these control methods can help protect your lawn and garden from damage while ensuring minimal impact on the surrounding environment and beneficial insects.
Bug Control Recommendation Tool
Bug Control Recommendation Tool
Interesting Spittlebug Facts
Foam Creation
Spittlebugs are known for the frothy spittle mass they produce while feeding on plants, such as strawberries, flowers, and various stems of plants. This foam serves as protection from temperature extremes and predators.
How foamy substance is formed:
- Nymphs pierce plant stems and suck plant juices (phloem)
- Excess sap containing amino acids is mixed with air to create the frothy bubbles
- This foamy substance covers the nymphs as protection
Jumping Abilities
Adult spittlebugs, also known as froghoppers, are capable of impressive jumps due to their powerful hind legs. These jumping abilities likely inspired their nicknames, such as snake spit and frog spit.
Features of their jumping:
- Orange-striped wings assist in flight
- Adult froghoppers can jump up to 100 times their body length
- Hind legs primarily responsible for their jumping capabilities
Folklore and Nicknames
Spittlebugs have been given various nicknames due to the appearance of their foam and their impressive jumping abilities. Some common nicknames include:
- Snake spit
- Frog spit
- Cuckoo spit
- Witch’s spit
These various names likely stem from folklore and the mysterious appearance of their foamy substance in gardens and pastures.
In conclusion, spittlebugs are fascinating creatures with unique abilities to both create protective foam and jump impressive distances. Their intriguing behaviors are what inspired their various nicknames and connections to folklore.
Footnotes
2 Comments. Leave new
I was bitten by one 6/8/16 in N. Texas. Moderately painful, not quite like a horse fly.
Umm…yeah… These little guys are completely harmless to humans. They do NOT bite. Ive been covered by hundreds of these cute things during long days of grass cutting season. About all they do is poop while jumping and you need a 10X zoom lens just to see that.