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Spittlebug and its froth
Photo credit: Katie Burkley |
The common names for spittlebugs and froghoppers (family: Cercopidae) are
derived from their different stages of life. When the bug is in the nymph stage
it is called a spittlebug because it
sucks the sap of a plant to create the froth or “spit” that we see. This froth protects
the insect from the view of predators and insulates it against heat. These two
functions also help the insect from dehydrating. When the bug transitions from nymph
to adult it is called a froghopper because
it can jump from plant to plant; some species can jump up to 70cm vertically.
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Spittlebug without its froth
Photo credit: Katie Burkley |