Cercopidae

Leach, 1815

froghoppers, spittlebugs

is the largest of , a group of xylem-feeding in the suborder . Commonly called or , these insects are known for the frothy protective masses produced by and the powerful jumping ability of . A 2023 phylogenetic study elevated the New World Ischnorhininae to full family status as Ischnorhinidae, leaving Cercopidae stricto as a Old World group comprising two subfamilies: Cercopinae and Cosmoscartinae. Members are significant agricultural pests of forage grasses, , and turfgrass throughout tropical and subtropical regions.

Identification

are compact, with enlarged hind adapted for jumping. The is typically broad with large . are held roof-like over the body at rest. are soft-bodied and concealed within distinctive frothy spittle masses on plants. The stricto (Old World) can be distinguished from the related Ischnorhinidae (New World, formerly Ischnorhininae) by phylogenetic affinity; morphological distinction between these groups requires examination of genitalic structures and molecular data.

Habitat

Found in diverse environments including pastures, rangelands, turfgrass, agricultural fields, and natural vegetation. develop on plants within protective spittle masses. are active on vegetation and capable of dispersing across varied landscapes.

Distribution

Old World distribution: Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australasia. Following the 2023 taxonomic revision, New World representatives previously placed in ( Ischnorhininae) are now classified as Ischnorhinidae. The Cephisus occurs in the New World but belongs to the tribe Ptyelini within Cercopidae.

Diet

Xylem-feeders. Both and pierce vascular tissue to extract xylem sap. This dilute food source requires processing large volumes of fluid, with excess liquid excreted as or incorporated into the protective spittle mass by nymphs.

Life Cycle

development with five nymphal . reside within protective spittle masses formed by excreting frothy bubbles of feeding wastes from the , combined with air siphoned through a abdominal canal. The spittle mass conceals nymphs from and desiccation. emerge from the final instar and do not produce spittle.

Behavior

are sedentary, concealed within spittle masses. are capable of powerful jumping, reaching heights up to 115 times their body length, which provides rapid escape from . Jumping is facilitated by enlarged hind legs with elastic energy .

Ecological Role

that transfer nutrients from xylem to higher . Nymphal spittle masses provide microhabitats for specialized organisms. Some plant including Xylella fastidiosa and Xanthomonas albilineans.

Human Relevance

Major agricultural pests causing significant to forage grasses, , and turfgrass. The twolined (Prosapia bicincta), now classified in Ischnorhinidae, invaded Hawaiʻi in 2016 and has damaged thousands of hectares of pasture. Spittlebugs reduce forage productivity, nutritional value, palatability, and digestibility. Management includes grazing strategies, grass varieties, and limited chemical control.

Similar Taxa

IschnorhinidaeFormerly the Ischnorhininae within , elevated to status in 2023 based on closer phylogenetic ties to than to Cercopinae. Contains New World previously placed in Cercopidae.
AphrophoridaeRelated of within ; some (Hemitriecphora, Microsargane) were transferred from to in 2023 based on molecular phylogenetic analysis.
MachaerotidaeTube-making that construct calcareous tubes rather than frothy spittle masses; sister group to Ischnorhinidae.