Key points
- Spittlebugs are sucking insects that feed on various trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perennials.
- The adults are froghoppers, 1/4-1/-2 inch long, dull-colored, broadly oval, with prominent eyes.
- Most noticeable are the nymphs (immatures) which are covered with a white frothy material. The nymphs are smaller than the adults, and usually a pale greenish-yellow.
- Both the adults and nymphs suck plant sap from the twigs and stems of host plants.
- Some species appear to have a toxin that destroys plant tissue, causing leaf stunting, distortion, and twig dieback.
- To monitor for this insect look for the white spittle masses on the terminal twigs of host plants from April through June (in Maryland).
- The adults are present from July through September.