Spittlebugs
Spittlebugs occur throughout the U.S. and can at least occasionally
be found on almost any plant. Adult spittlebugs are inconspicuous,
often greenish or brownish insects, about 0.25 inch long. Immature
spittlebugs are recognized by the frothy white mass that nymphs
surround themselves with on plant tissue where they feed.
Identification of species | Life
cycle
Damage
Spittlebugs suck plant juices. Heavy infestations
distort plant tissue and slow plant growth. The obvious and occasionally
abundant masses of white foam on cones, foliage, or stems may be
annoying, but the spittlebugs do not seriously harm established
woody plants.
Solutions
Ignore spittlebugs on woody plants or wash nymphs
off plants with a forceful stream of water. Spittlebugs are more
likely to become abundant on woody plants when they migrate from
nearby herbaceous species. Cut weeds or wash spittlebugs off these
alternate hosts in the spring, before the insects mature and can
spread.
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Adult spittlebug
Frothy material hides immature spittlebugs
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