Froghoppers are best known for their nymph (baby) stage. As nymphs they are often referred to as spittlebugs or snake spit. The nymphs make a foam nest around themselves from plant sap that they feed on and then excrete. Most insects that feed on plant sap feed from the phloem of the plant which transports nutrient rich compounds around the plant that are made during photosynthesis.
Adults are capable of jumping many times their own height and length. Some are recorded to jump as far as 70cm which is quite a feet for something measuring between 6mm and 2cm long depending on species.
This superfamily of insects are called Cercopoidea, consisting many hundreds of species worldwide.
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However, froghoppers feed from the Xylem tissues of the plant which is used to transport water and minimal nutrients upwards from the roots. The fact that they feed on the sap with the least nutritional value, means they have to drink a lot more. This is why they can make so much saliva, sometimes making puddles of spit under trees.
Why do they make the foamy stuff?
For the bug it’s a means of self defense, firstly from the elements, keeping them cool or warm, and secondly the saliva is bitter to the taste so it prevents would-be predators from attacking them. Also, the bug would dry out and die without it.
There are many myths around the foamy substance which are not true. The liquid does not burn your skin, nor does it cause baldness if it were to fall on your head. It won’t damage the paintwork on your car should you park under a tree.
The substance also has no connection to snakes whatsoever. “Many times I have been called out to look for a snake that has left spit on the lawn, but I soon learned what people were seeing. I now try to explain the actual reason for the foamy spit. In short the substance is totally harmless,” said Warren Dick.
Froghoppers also pose very little risk to their host plant and seldom cause lasting damage. They do have wings as adults.
Contact Warren on 072 211 0353 to have some of your interesting insects, snakes or spiders identified. Visit his Facebook page, Warren’s Small World.