Hoppers of North Carolina

Hoppers of North Carolina:
Spittlebugs, Leafhoppers, Treehoppers, and Planthoppers

Family (Alpha):

APHROPHORIDAE Members:	NC Records
Philaenus spumarius - Meadow Spittlebug

Taxonomy

Family: APHROPHORIDAE

Identification

Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF
Description: A highly variable species, ranging in color from brown, green, yellow, pink, pale, black-and-white, mottled, etc. It may appear solid in coloration or have different patterns across its wings. For an example of some color varieties, see: Meadow Spittlebug Variation. Wings have a fine covering of hair that typically blends in with the wing color, and veins are not raised and dark as in Philaronia. Adult males are 5.2-6.4 mm long, females are 5.4-6.8 mm. Nymphs are also variable in color: the first instar is orange, instars 2 through 4 are yellow, and the last nymphal stage is pale green NCSU. There are two distinct subspecies (of four total known) that have been recorded in the state recently: Philaenus spumarius typica, which is pale and mottled, and [possibly] P. s. quadrimaculatus, which is dark and mottled. These two subspecies, especially the latter one, maybe confused with Aphrophora quadrinotata; however, P. spumarius lacks the heavily pitted elytra found in A. quadrinotata.

Distribution in North Carolina

County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.

Distribution: Native to and widespread across the Palaerctic (Eurasia), it has spread to North America through range expansions where it is abundant throughout the country except in the arid Southwest. It was first recorded in North America in Newfoundland about 1000 years ago. Most common in the Northeast and Pacific Northwest. BG

Abundance: Common and widespread across much of the state, with many records from the mountains and Piedmont. Seemingly absent from much of the coastal plain, but this could be due to a lack of collecting or searching in those areas.

Seasonal Occurrence

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Found in herbaceous, vegetated areas and field-type habitat, but can also be found near or even within forested areas.

Plant Associates: This species infests over 400 different plants, including alfalfa, red clover, wheat, oats, corn, and strawberries. BG. Has also been found on Milkweed. This species has also been found on Ambrosia, Solidago, Betula, Medicago sativa, Trifolium, Zea mays, and Fragaria ananassa (DL).

Behavior: Eggs hatch in North Carolina in late March; the nymphs then seek sheltered, humid parts of plants. When they begin feeding, nymphs exude a frothy spittle mass that protects them from natural enemies and desiccation. The nymphs will feed for a month or longer and then, depending on temperature, develop into adults in late May or June. As the foliage adults are feeding on dries out, they migrate to new host plants. In late August or early September, females begin to deposit eggs. NCSU

Comment: A major agricultural pest species, it causes severe damage to a variety of plants. Affected plants wilt and become stunted. Eggs are white, oblong, and about 1mm in length. They become light brown before nymphs hatch. NCSU

Status: Native

Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Philaenus spumarius Meadow Spittlebug
	Photo by: Vin Stanton Buncombe Co. Comment:	Photo by: Jim Petranka Madison Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Ken Kneidel Mecklenburg Co. Comment:	Photo by: Ken Kneidel Mecklenburg Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Grassy, open area.	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Avery Co. Comment: grassy, brushy habitat and forest edge/interior
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Caldwell Co. Comment: grassy, brushy habitat along roadside	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Mitchell Co. Comment: grassy, brushy vegetation in the open on the top of the mountain; the bald
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Avery Co. Comment: grassy and brushy vegetation surrounded by forest	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Avery Co. Comment: grassy and brushy vegetation surrounded by forest
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Avery Co. Comment: grassy and brushy vegetation surrounded by forest	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Avery Co. Comment: grassy and brushy vegetation surrounded by forest
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Avery Co. Comment: grassy and brushy vegetation surrounded by forest	Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: NYMPH, Found in Spittle
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Surry Co. Comment: grassy, brushy habitat near forest edge & forest	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Surry Co. Comment: grassy, brushy habitat near forest edge & forest
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Ashe Co. Comment: mixed hardwood forest habitat; one of many varieties	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Wake Co. Comment: spittle found in a marshy/very vegetated section of Falls Lake, near a creek
	Photo by: Paul Scharf Ashe Co. Comment: Spotted on Milkweed	Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Nymph Spotted on leaf ( Milkweed ? )

Philaenus spumarius - Meadow Spittlebug

Species Photo Gallery for Philaenus spumarius Meadow Spittlebug