Froghoppers and Spittlebugs

Family Cercopidae

Boreal spittlebug (Aphrophora gelida). Photo:Stephanie Boucher

Cercopidae are phytophagous, feeding on shrubs, trees, herbaceous plants. The hind legs are used for powerful leaps. The nymphs of many species surround themselves with a frothy mass made from plant sap with air bubbled into it. These spittle masses, which can be abundant in meadows, provide the nymph with a moist habitat and protection from predators. Froghoppers are short, stout Homoptera that resemble tiny frogs. They are usually brown, gray or green, often with a distinct colour pattern. The head is triangular. The hind legs have two thorn-like spurs and have a row of black-tipped spines at the end of the tibia.

Distribution of Boreal spittlebug (Aphrophora gelida) in Canada