Spittlebug
Guides
Aeneolamia albofasciata
Aeneolamia albofasciata is a spittlebug species in the family Ischnorhinidae, distributed across Mexico and Costa Rica. The species was originally described as Monecphora albofasciata by Lallemand in 1939 and later transferred to Aeneolamia. It belongs to a genus known for xylem-feeding habits and association with grasses and agricultural crops. Observations on iNaturalist suggest it is moderately well-documented in the field.
Aeneolamia contigua
Aeneolamia contigua is a spittlebug species in the family Ischnorhinidae (formerly placed in Cercopidae). The genus Aeneolamia contains economically significant pests of pasture grasses and sugarcane in the Neotropics. This species is part of a group known for dense aggregations and damage to graminoid hosts through sap-feeding. Adults are robust with the characteristic compact body form of the tribe Tomaspidini.
Aphrophora
spittlebugs, conifer spittlebugs
Aphrophora is a genus of spittlebugs (family Aphrophoridae) comprising at least 80 described species. Nymphs produce characteristic frothy spittle masses on host plants for protection and moisture regulation. The genus includes species associated with conifers and broadleaved plants, with documented host relationships including Pinus and Salix species. Adults are often attracted to lights at night.
Aphrophora alni
European alder spittle bug, alder spittlebug
Aphrophora alni is a froghopper in the family Aphrophoridae, commonly known as the European alder spittlebug. It is the most common and widespread of the four Aphrophora species in the UK and one of the larger froghoppers in its range. Adults are distinguished by a pale median keel on the head and pronotum, dark brown coloration, and two pale patches along the costal margin of the forewings. The species is polyphagous, feeding on deciduous trees as adults and herbaceous plants as larvae. Nymphs produce characteristic foam nests ('cuckoo spit') with adhesive properties of biotechnological interest. It has been recorded as a pest on alder and is a potential vector of the bacterial plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa.
Aphrophora canadensis
conifer spittlebug
Aphrophora canadensis is a species of spittlebug in the family Aphrophoridae, originally described from Canada in 1928. The genus Aphrophora comprises conifer-associated spittlebugs that are frequently attracted to lights at night. This species occurs in western North America, with records from British Columbia, California, and Idaho. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with coniferous host plants.
Aphrophora cribrata
pine spittlebug
Aphrophora cribrata, commonly known as the pine spittlebug, is a species of spittlebug in the family Aphrophoridae. The species is associated with coniferous habitats and has been documented in North America. Taxonomic authorities recognize this species as a synonym of Epipyga cribrata, reflecting ongoing revisions in spittlebug classification. The common name indicates its ecological association with pine trees.
Aphrophora gelida
Boreal Spittlebug
Aphrophora gelida, commonly known as the boreal spittlebug, is a species of spittlebug in the family Aphrophoridae. It is native to North America and has been recorded across a broad geographic range including Alabama, Alberta, British Columbia, California, and Connecticut. The species belongs to a genus associated with coniferous habitats.
Aphrophora irrorata
Speckled spittlebug
Aphrophora irrorata is a species of spittlebug in the family Aphrophoridae, first described by Ball in 1899. The species is recognized as valid by GBIF and NCBI, though listed as a synonym in the Catalogue of Life. It belongs to the subgenus Plesiommata within Aphrophora. Like other spittlebugs, it feeds on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts. The specific epithet 'irrorata' refers to a speckled or sprinkled appearance, likely describing the color pattern.
Aphrophora maculosa
Conifer spittlebug
Aphrophora maculosa is a species of spittlebug in the family Aphrophoridae, described by Doering in 1941. It belongs to a genus commonly known as conifer spittlebugs, many of which feed on coniferous trees. The species is found in western North America, ranging from British Columbia and Alberta in Canada south through Washington, Oregon, and California in the United States. Like other Aphrophora species, it is attracted to lights at night.
Aphrophora parallella
Aphrophora parallella is a species of spittlebug in the family Aphrophoridae, first described by Thomas Say in 1824. The genus Aphrophora comprises conifer spittlebugs, with adults typically found in association with coniferous trees. The species is part of a taxonomically complex group where family-level placement has varied between Aphrophoridae and Cercopidae depending on classification system used. Specific biological details for A. parallella remain poorly documented in available literature.
Aphrophora princeps
cone spittlebug
Aphrophora princeps, commonly known as the cone spittlebug, is a species of spittlebug in the family Aphrophoridae. It is found in western North America, with records from British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California. The species was described by Walley in 1928. Like other spittlebugs, the nymphs produce protective froth masses on host plants.
Aphrophora quadrinotata
four-spotted spittlebug
Aphrophora quadrinotata, commonly known as the four-spotted spittlebug, is a species of spittlebug in the family Aphrophoridae. It is found in North America. The species was described by Thomas Say in 1830. Like other spittlebugs, it is associated with coniferous habitats and produces the characteristic frothy spittle as nymphs.
Aphrophora regina
Aphrophora regina is a species of spittlebug in the family Aphrophoridae, described by Hamilton in 1982. The species is currently recognized as valid, though it has been treated as Peuceptyelus regina in some taxonomic arrangements. Spittlebugs in this genus are commonly known as conifer spittlebugs and are associated with coniferous host plants. The species occurs in western North America, with records from British Columbia.
Aphrophora salicina
Willow Spittlebug
Aphrophora salicina, commonly known as the Willow Spittlebug, is a species of froghopper in the family Aphrophoridae. The species was first described by Goeze in 1778. It belongs to a genus commonly referred to as conifer spittlebugs, though this particular species is associated with willow. The taxonomy of the family has been debated, with some authorities placing the genus in Cercopidae and others in Aphrophoridae. The species has been recorded across parts of Europe and Asia, with distribution records from regions including Abruzzo, Altay, Amur, Ankara, and Aqtöbe.
Aphrophora saratogensis
Saratoga spittlebug
Aphrophora saratogensis, commonly known as the Saratoga spittlebug, is a species of spittlebug in the family Aphrophoridae. It is distributed across North America, with records from regions including Alabama, Alberta, British Columbia, California, and Connecticut. The species is associated with coniferous habitats and is attracted to lights at night.
Aphrophoridae
True Spittlebugs, Spittlebugs, Froghoppers
Aphrophoridae is a family of true bugs in the order Hemiptera, commonly known as spittlebugs or froghoppers. The family contains at least 160 genera and 990 described species. Nymphs are called spittlebugs and produce characteristic frothy masses for protection, while adults are referred to as froghoppers. Many species are xylem sap feeders and some serve as vectors for plant pathogens, particularly Xylella fastidiosa, which causes diseases including olive quick decline syndrome.
Aphrophorinae
Aphrophorinae is a subfamily of spittlebugs (family Aphrophoridae, order Hemiptera) characterized by their xylem-feeding habits and association with grasses and herbaceous vegetation. Members are known hosts for Strepsipteran parasites, with documented density-dependent parasitism regulating host populations in African grasslands.
Cephisus
spittlebug, froghopper
Cephisus is a genus of spittlebugs in the family Aphrophoridae, distinguished by producing exceptionally large frothy masses during the nymphal stage. Nymphs create these protective bubbles by siphoning air through a tubelike canal beneath the abdomen and mixing it with excreted plant fluids. The genus is the sole New World representative of the tribe Ptyelini, which has a broader distribution in Africa. Some species, notably C. siccifolia, can reach pest status on economically important plants including eucalyptus.
Cephisus laticeps
Cephisus laticeps is a species of froghopper (family Aphrophoridae) described by Hamilton in 2012. It belongs to the genus Cephisus, which is the sole New World representative of the tribe Ptyelini. Species in this genus are known for producing exceptionally large spittle masses as nymphs, with some reaching pest status on economically important plants. The specific epithet 'laticeps' refers to a broad-headed characteristic.
Cephisus variolosus
Cephisus variolosus is a large spittlebug (family Aphrophoridae) native to the Neotropics. Nymphs produce exceptionally large, frothy spittle masses on trees—substantially larger than those of temperate spittlebug species. The species has been recorded from Argentina, Brazil, and other South American countries, and occasionally reaches pest status on eucalyptus plantations. Adults have not been well described in available literature.
Clastoptera
spittlebugs
Clastoptera is a genus of spittlebugs in the family Clastopteridae, containing at least 30 described species distributed across North and South America. Members are small, globose insects that produce spittle masses during their nymphal stage. The genus exhibits extreme morphological variability, with individuals varying widely in size, color, and pattern within species, complicating taxonomic classification. Nymphs are phloem-feeders that develop within protective foam masses on host plants, while adults are free-living and mobile.
Clastoptera achatina
pecan spittlebug
Clastoptera achatina is a spittlebug species in the family Clastopteridae, commonly known as the pecan spittlebug. It is found in North America and has a documented association with pecan trees. The species produces the characteristic frothy spittle mass that gives spittlebugs their common name.
Clastoptera binotata
twomarked spittlebug
Clastoptera binotata is a species of spittlebug in the family Clastopteridae, first described by Ball in 1896. The species is found in western North America, with records from Arizona, California, Colorado, and British Columbia. As a member of the spittlebug family, it produces protective froth during its nymphal stage. The specific epithet 'binotata' refers to two distinct markings, likely on the dorsal surface.
Clastoptera brunnea
brown spittlebug
Clastoptera brunnea is a species of spittlebug in the family Clastopteridae, first described by Ball in 1919. The species is distributed across western North America, with records from Arizona, British Columbia, California, Colorado, and Nevada. As a member of the spittlebug family, it undergoes incomplete metamorphosis and nymphs produce characteristic foam masses ('spittle') for protection. Specific ecological details regarding host plants and habitat preferences for this species remain poorly documented.
Clastoptera delicata
spittlebug
Clastoptera delicata is a species of spittlebug in the family Clastopteridae, first described by Uhler in 1876. It is found in western North America, with records from Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, and Oregon. Like other spittlebugs, its nymphs produce characteristic frothy masses of spittle on host plants. The species has been documented as prey for the crabronid wasp Clitemnestra bipunctata, which paralyzes and provisions its nests with adult spittlebugs.
Clastoptera distincta
Dwarf Mistletoe Spittlebug
Clastoptera distincta is a species of spittlebug in the family Clastopteridae, described by Doering in 1929. It is known by the common name "Dwarf Mistletoe Spittlebug," indicating an association with dwarf mistletoe plants. The species occurs in the southwestern United States, with documented records from Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. Like other members of Clastopteridae, the nymphs produce spittle masses for protection.
Clastoptera doeringae
Mountain-juniper Spittlebug
Clastoptera doeringae, the mountain-juniper spittlebug, is a species of spittlebug in the family Clastopteridae. It is found in western North America, with records from Arizona, British Columbia, California, Colorado, and Nevada. As a member of the spittlebug family, it is known to produce protective frothy masses as nymphs. The species was described by Hamilton in 1978.
Clastoptera hyperici
Clastoptera hyperici is a species of spittlebug in the family Clastopteridae, first described by Gibson in 1920. It belongs to a group of insects known for producing protective foam masses during their nymphal stage. The species has been recorded from multiple localities in eastern North America. Like other spittlebugs, it is presumed to feed on plant sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Clastoptera juniperina
Juniper Spittlebug
Clastoptera juniperina, known as the juniper spittlebug, is a species of spittlebug in the family Clastopteridae. The species is native to North America and was first described by Ball in 1919. As a member of the spittlebug group, the nymphs likely produce characteristic foam masses on host plants. The species name suggests an association with juniper plants.
Clastoptera lineatocollis
Clastoptera lineatocollis is a species of spittlebug (family Clastopteridae) described by Stål in 1854. It occurs in western North America, with records from the southwestern United States through British Columbia. Like other spittlebugs, it produces protective froth during nymphal development. The species is among the prey items recorded for the sand wasp Clitemnestra bipunctata.
Clastoptera mineralis
Clastoptera mineralis is a recently described species of spittlebug in the family Clastopteridae, formally named in 2023. The genus Clastoptera contains species commonly known as spittlebugs or froghoppers, recognized for the nymphal habit of producing protective foam masses on vegetation. As a newly described species, detailed biological information remains limited. It belongs to a family of xylem-feeding insects that are frequently preyed upon by solitary wasps.
Clastoptera n-sp-az
Clastoptera n-sp-az is an undescribed species of spittlebug in the family Clastopteridae, recorded from Arizona. The genus Clastoptera comprises small, compact spittlebugs commonly known as 'spittlebugs' or 'froghoppers' due to the nymphal habit of producing protective foam masses. This species remains formally undescribed, indicating limited published information regarding its biology and distribution.
Clastoptera obtusa
alder spittlebug
Clastoptera obtusa, commonly known as the alder spittlebug, is a species of spittlebug in the family Clastopteridae. It is native to North America and has been documented in multiple provinces and states across Canada and the United States. The species is part of a complex with three recognized subspecies: C. o. borealis, C. o. obtusa, and C. o. pallida. As a spittlebug, it belongs to the group of true bugs (Hemiptera) known for producing protective foam masses during their nymphal stages.
Clastoptera obtusa tristis
Clastoptera obtusa tristis is a subspecies of spittlebug in the family Clastopteridae. Members of this genus are small, compact hemipterans commonly known as spittlebugs due to the frothy protective covering produced by nymphs. The subspecies designation indicates geographic or morphological variation within C. obtusa. Adults are typically found on woody vegetation.
Clastoptera octonotata
Clastoptera octonotata is a species of spittlebug described by Hamilton in 2015. It belongs to the family Clastopteridae, a group of xylem-feeding insects known for producing frothy spittle masses as nymphs. The species name refers to eight distinct markings. As a recently described species, detailed natural history information remains limited. It occurs in North America and has been documented through observations on iNaturalist.
Clastoptera pallidocephala
Clastoptera pallidocephala is a species of spittlebug in the family Clastopteridae, first described by Doering in 1929. It belongs to a genus whose larvae are known as spittlebugs, producing protective froth masses on host plants. The species epithet "pallidocephala" refers to a pale or light-colored head. This species has been recorded in the southwestern United States.
Clastoptera querci
Clastoptera querci is a species of spittlebug in the family Clastopteridae, described in 2020. The specific epithet "querci" indicates an association with oak (Quercus), suggesting a host relationship with oak trees. As a member of the spittlebug superfamily Cercopoidea, this species shares the characteristic nymphal habit of producing protective foam masses on host plants. The genus Clastoptera is the primary genus within its family and is distributed across North America.
Clastoptera saintcyri
Heath Spittlebug
Clastoptera saintcyri, commonly known as the heath spittlebug, is a species of spittlebug in the family Clastopteridae. It is native to North America and has been documented across multiple regions of the United States. The species produces protective spittle masses during its nymphal stage, a characteristic trait of spittlebugs. It has been recorded as prey for the digger wasp Clitemnestra bipunctata.
Clastoptera salicis
Clastoptera salicis is a spittlebug species in the family Clastopteridae, described by Doering in 1926. The species is documented from Kansas and Missouri in North America. As a member of the genus Clastoptera, it produces protective froth during its nymphal stage. The specific epithet 'salicis' suggests an association with willow (Salix), though this host relationship requires confirmation.
Clastoptera sierra
Clastoptera sierra is a species of spittlebug in the family Clastopteridae, described by Doering in 1929. The genus Clastoptera comprises small, compact froghoppers commonly known as spittlebugs or froghoppers. Members of this family are characterized by their distinctive body shape and are associated with various host plants. C. sierra is known from California in the Sierra Nevada region.
Clastoptera siskiyou
Clastoptera siskiyou is a species of spittlebug described by Doering in 1929. It belongs to the family Clastopteridae, a small family of true bugs within the order Hemiptera. The species is named after the Siskiyou region and has been recorded in California and North America. Available information about this species is extremely limited, with only two observations documented in iNaturalist.
Clastoptera testacea
spittlebug
Clastoptera testacea is a species of spittlebug described by Fitch in 1851. As a member of family Clastopteridae, it produces protective foam masses during nymphal development. The species has been recorded as prey for the digger wasp Clitemnestra bipunctata, which provisions its nests with paralyzed spittlebugs. It occurs across eastern and central North America.
Clastoptera tricincta
Clastoptera tricincta is a species of spittlebug in the family Clastopteridae, described by Doering in 1929. It belongs to a genus whose common name refers to the frothy 'spittle' produced by nymphs as a protective mechanism. Like other members of Clastopteridae, adults are typically small, compact insects with distinctive color patterns. The specific epithet 'tricincta' likely refers to three bands or stripes on the body, a common naming convention in the genus.
Clastoptera undulata
Casuarina Spittlebug
Clastoptera undulata is a spittlebug species in the family Clastopteridae, first described by Uhler in 1864. It is commonly known as the Casuarina Spittlebug. The species gained attention as an invasive pest in Bermuda, where it was discovered in 1959. Biological control efforts were undertaken using the parasitoid wasp Carabunia myersi. Most individuals in the Bermuda population overwinter as eggs. The species belongs to a group of xylem-feeding insects known for producing protective 'spittle' masses during their nymphal stages.
Clastopteridae
Clastopterid Spittlebugs
Clastopteridae is a family of spittlebugs (Cercopoidea) within the order Hemiptera, containing at least 10 genera and approximately 100 described species. The family was established by Stål in 1858. Members are free-living hemipterans, distinct from the related froghoppers (Aphrophoridae) that produce protective spittle masses. The genus Clastoptera is the most well-known and widespread in the family.
Lepyronia
spittlebugs, froghoppers
Lepyronia is a genus of froghoppers (spittlebugs) in the family Aphrophoridae, comprising approximately 17 described species distributed across the Holarctic region. Nymphs develop within protective spittle masses on host plant stems, feeding on xylem sap. The genus includes notable agricultural and forest pests, with at least one species confirmed as a vector of phytoplasma plant pathogens. Adults are active in mid-summer and are capable of jumping considerable distances.
Lepyronia angulifera
angular spittlebug
Lepyronia angulifera, commonly known as the angular spittlebug, is a spittlebug species in the family Aphrophoridae. It is distributed across the Caribbean and North America, with records from the eastern and southeastern United States including Florida, Georgia, and the Mid-Atlantic region. The species inhabits fen habitats and has documented associations with specific host plants. Two subspecies are recognized: L. a. angulifera and L. a. robusta.
Lepyronia coleoptrata
European spittlebug
Lepyronia coleoptrata is a spittlebug species in the family Aphrophoridae, native to Europe and Asia and introduced to northeast North America. Adults measure 5.1–7.8 mm and are pale brown with dark wing membranes. The species has one generation per year, with eggs hibernating under bark and larvae emerging in late April to early May. Nymphs produce characteristic foam masses while feeding on plant sap, primarily on lavender and other crops.
Lepyronia gibbosa
hill-prairie spittlebug, great plains spittlebug
Lepyronia gibbosa is a species of spittlebug in the family Aphrophoridae. It is native to North America and commonly known as the hill-prairie spittlebug or great plains spittlebug. Like other spittlebugs, the nymphs produce a protective froth of bubbles from excreted plant sap and mucopolysaccharides, which conceals them from predators and desiccation. The species is associated with prairie and grassland habitats.
Neophilaenus
spittlebugs
Neophilaenus is a genus of spittlebugs (family Aphrophoridae) containing approximately 10 described species distributed primarily across the Palearctic region. Nymphs are known for producing characteristic foam masses ("cuckoo spit") that provide protection and moisture retention during development. Several species, particularly N. campestris and N. lineatus, have been extensively studied due to their role as vectors of the plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa, which threatens Mediterranean agriculture including olive, almond, and grapevine crops. The genus exhibits temperature-dependent phenology, with development rates and adult emergence timing varying predictably with altitude and latitude.