A small bug about 1/4 inch (6 mm) long with brown, orange and cream-colored spots. Some individuals are cream-colored overall, some are black with white head. In other words, it is highly variable in appearance. Click here to see the great variation in color.
Meadow Spittlebug is an introduced species which has become common throughout most of North America except in very wet and very dry habitats. They are found in open woodlands, fields and meadows. The Meadow Spittlebug is considered to be common in eastern Nebraska and can be found on many species of plants.
This spittlebug is a generalist feeder and is known to feed on about 200 different plant species. The female can lay as many as 400 eggs, always on the plant where the larvae will feed. The larvae are well known for producing the globs of foam on plants that help to protect them from predators. The larval stage lasts about 50 days.
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