agronom.info agronomy portal
Reference · Pests

Froghoppers

Froghoppers, belonging to the family Cercopidae, are insects in the order Hemiptera. They are widely recognized by their common name, spittlebugs, due to the frothy, spit-like substance that nymphs produce to shelter themselves during development. These insects are significant agricultural pests that can affect a broad range of plant species across diverse environments.

66 items

What the section contains

Aeneolamia Aeneolamia contigua Aeneolamia albofasciata Aeneolamia albofasciata Alder spittlebug Clastoptera obtusa Alder spittlebug Clastoptera saintcyri Brown spittlebug Clastoptera brunnea Cacao spittlebug Clastoptera theobromae Cercopis Cercopis Cercopis arcuata Cercopis arcuata Cercopis intermedia Cercopis intermedia Cercopis vulnerata Cercopis vulnerata Clastoptera Clastoptera Clastoptera compta Clastoptera compta Clastoptera laenata Clastoptera laenata Clastoptera undulata Clastoptera undulata Delassor Delassor Delassor mura Delassor mura Great spittlebug Ptyelus grossus Haematoloma Haematoloma Knoblauch's spittlebug Tomaspis knoblauchi Mahanarva Mahanarva Mahanarva indicata Mahanarva indicata Meadow spittlebug Poophilus Meadow spittlebug Ptyelus Pasture spittlebug Deois flavopicta Pasture spittlebug Zulia pubescens Poophilus costalis Poophilus costalis Prosapia Prosapia Ptyelus goudoti Ptyelus goudoti Red spittlebug Sphenorhina rubra Red-and-black froghopper Cercopis sanguinolenta Red-backed firebug Haematoloma dorsata Six-banded froghopper Ptyelus sexvittatus Southern spittlebug Tomaspis australis Sphenorhina Sphenorhina Sphenorhina liturata Sphenorhina liturata Sphenorhina sororia Sphenorhina sororia Spittlebug Tomaspis furcata Spittlebug Tomaspis pictipennis Spittlebug Aeneolamia Spittlebug Prosapia teapana Spittlebug (Clastoptera achatina) Clastoptera achatina Spittlebug (Tomaspis bogotensis) Tomaspis bogotensis Spittlebug of the genus Deois Deois Spittlebug Prosapia simulans Prosapia simulans Sugarcane spittlebug Tomaspis guppyi Sugarcane spittlebug Aeneolamia lepidior Sugarcane spittlebug Mahanarva liturata Sugarcane spittlebug Deois morialis Sugarcane spittlebug Aeneolamia varia Sugarcane spittlebug Mahanarva tristis Sugarcane spittlebug Mahanarva fimbriolata Sugarcane spittlebug Mahanarva posticata Texas spittlebug Clastoptera texana Tomaspis Tomaspis Tomaspis carmodyi Tomaspis carmodyi Tomaspis humeralis Tomaspis humeralis Tomaspis inca Tomaspis inca Tomaspis indentata Tomaspis indentata Tomaspis spectabilis Tomaspis spectabilis Two-lined spittlebug Prosapia bicincta

Froghoppers

These pests are polyphagous, meaning they feed on a wide variety of host plants, including small fruits like strawberries, ornamental flowers like roses, legumes, and several nursery crops. By using their piercing-sucking mouthparts, froghoppers extract plant sap, which deprives the host plant of essential nutrients and disrupts normal growth processes.

The life cycle involves an egg stage, followed by nymphs that live inside the protective froth, and finally the winged adult stage. The froth serves as a critical defense mechanism, protecting the soft-bodied nymphs from desiccation and various predators. Adults, meanwhile, are highly mobile and can jump or fly between plants, facilitating the rapid spread of infestations.

Damage symptoms often include distorted leaves, stunted shoot growth, and yellowish spotting on foliage. In severe cases, the vitality of the plant is significantly reduced, leading to yield loss in crops. Furthermore, some species of froghoppers are known vectors for plant diseases, including various phytoplasmas that can cause long-term damage to agricultural plantations.

Management strategies for froghoppers include:

  • Regular field scouting to detect the presence of spittle masses early.
  • Effective weed management, as many weeds act as primary host plants.
  • Maintaining proper spacing between plants to reduce humidity and attractiveness.
  • Manual removal of spittle masses if the infestation is localized.
  • Applying chemical insecticides or biological controls when population densities exceed economic thresholds.