Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 3.0 - 00001712
11/12/99
Spittle Bugs
Spittle bug gets its name from the frothy mass of spittle
that larvae produce and hide in for protection. Larvae
removed from the frothy mass are usually greenish,
soft-bodied, leafhopper-like, and under 10 mm long.
Spittle bugs suck plant sap but are rarely numerous enough
to cause plant damage. The adults are stout-bodied,
leafhopper-like, dull colored and rarely over 12 mm in
length.
Spittle bugs are commonly found on junipers and pine trees
and are quite unattractive. However, they inflict little
damage on mature plants.
The best "control" of spittle bugs on ornamentals is to
tolerate the situation until it passes, a matter of a few
weeks. If action is required, forcefully hosing the
plants is usually sufficient, if repeated two to three
times.
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mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU
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This file was generated from data base ZZ on 01/19/00.
Data base ZZ was last revised on 11/12/99.
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