meadow spittlebug

not listed

NNR - Unranked

not listed

Meadow spittlebug is a small jumping insect. It is widespread across Europe, Asia, and North America. In the United States is most common east of the Great Plains and west of the Rocky Mountains. Minnesota marks the western extent of its eastern range in the U.S. In Minnesota, it is common to abundant in the east, mostly absent from the west.

The adult is wedge-shaped, heavy-bodied, and about ⅜″ long. It has a blunt, rounded head, large eyes, and very short antennae. It has specialized, needle-like mouth parts enabling it to suck on plant parts. The body is usually tan to dull brown, sometimes gray or mottled. The markings are highly variable, but generally it is patterned with brown, black, and white. There are only 1 or 2 spines on the hind tibia. The wings have raised veins and are held like a tent over the body.

The nymph is shaped similar to the adult but is smaller, about ¼″ long. In the first stage (instar) of growth the nymph is orange and wingless. In the second through fourth stages it is yellow and wingless. In the fifth (last) stage it is pale green and it develops wings. Nymphs produce frothy masses (spittle). The spittle may contain one or several nymphs, and is the primary indication of the presence of spittlebugs.

Total length: ⅜″

Parks, meadows, gardens, fields, marshes, and swamps.

Early June through late September

Adults do not produce spittle. They are relatively slow moving, but are the champion jumpers among insects, able to jump up to 27½″ vertically. The jump is powerful, generating up to 400 gravities, and produces an audible thump.

Only one generation is produced each year. In late August and September, masses of up to 18 to 51 eggs are deposited 3″ to 6″ above the ground between a leaf sheath and stem of a host plant. The eggs overwinter and hatch in late April and May. Newly hatched nymphs immediately begin feeding where they hatch, near the base of the plant. They pierce the plant and suck on the sap. Later, they move up the plant, seeking sheltered, humid areas, such as leaf sheaths and folded leaves, or producing masses of spittle on tender foliage and blossom clusters. The spittle protects the nymphs from predators and from drying out. The nymph matures in June after 5 to 8 weeks. Most infected plants wilt and become stunted, resulting in reduced yield.

A wide variety of plants, but especially red clover and alfalfa.

Over 400 species of plants, especially red clover, alfalfa, wheat, common oat, corn, and garden strawberry.

Sources

7, 24, 29, 30, 82.

Widespread and common to abundant

Meadow spittlebug Philaenus spurmarius

Philaenus spurmarius, meadow spittlebug, Barnes Prairie, Racine Co., WI.

Location: Albany, NY

Location: Albany, NY

Location: Barnes Prairie, Racine Co., WI

Philaenus spurmarius, meadow spittlebug, Barnes Prairie, Racine Co., WI.

Location: Barnes Prairie, Racine Co., WI

Philaenus spurmarius, meadow spittlebug, Barnes Prairie, Racine Co., WI.

Location: Woodbury, MN

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota