DIAMOND-BACKED SPITTLEBUG

DIAMOND-BACKED SPITTLEBUG

Lepyronia quadrangularis
SPITTLEBUGS (Cercopidae)

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This spittlebug is less than 1/2 inch long. The flat end of this bug has eyes and very thin antennae as seen in image “C”. These bugs sit still most of the time, feeding on the juices of various plants. Its nymphs, not shown, produce a frothy foam from the excess water ingested, which protects them from predators (D).

 

These spittlebugs seem to be quite common, especially in the nymph stage, when the “spittle” can be seen on many grasses and other vegetaton at Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods in the fall.

 

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