Meadow Spittlebug - Philaenus spumarius
Order: Hemiptera  / Suborder: Auchenorrhyncha (Free-living Hemipterans) 
Live adult spittlebugs photographed in the wild at DuPage County, Illinois. Size: 7mm
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Meadow Spittlebug - Philaenus spumarius
These spittlebugs are resident on common thistle, Cirsium sp.

Spittlebugs get their name from the blobs of frothy "spit" concocted by their nymphs and deposited on plants where they feed.  The nymphs hide inside the froth, which provides cover, temperature regulation, and protection against desiccation. Like many bugs, spittlebugs feed on plant sap. [2]

The nymphs feed head-downward on the plant, and excess fluid taken in is mixed with substances that increase its viscosity. The fluid is forced out of the bug's anus under pressure, creating air bubbles which pile up onto the insect's back. Unlike most other bugs, spittlebug nymphs suck fluid from the xylem, which is the main water-carrying structure of the plant. Since the nutrients are more dilute in fluid pulled from the xylem, spittlebugs are frequently found on nitrogen-fixing legumes that have a high concentration of amino acids in their sap.

In addition to legumes, spittlebugs are found on many grasses, roses, Chrysanthemums, daisies and goldenrod.  The meadow spittlebug also feeds on a wide range of plants including alfalfa, clover, strawberries and many other garden plants. [3]

Meadow Spittlebug - Philaenus spumarius

There is one spittlebug generation each year, beginning with overwintered eggs from the previous year hatching in early to mid-April. The tiny nymphs immediately start to suck sap from the plant and form the eponymous froth which they use for protection against dessication, and as camouflage. Many nymphs can share mass of froth, maturing in June. Adults feed on a variety of plants until late August, when they congregate in clover and alfalfa fields to lay their eggs. Egg-laying continues through September.

Spittlebugs stunt plant growth by sucking the sap. They may cause losses in Alfalfa and clover yields varying from slight to 25 percent or more. An average of 1 nymph per stem can decrease the yield of dry hay by 300 or more pounds per acre. [2]

Meadow Spittlebug - Philaenus spumarius
Heavily infested fields (50 to 100 spittle masses/plant) should be sprayed in September to kill adults and prevent egg-laying. A follow-up spray in the spring will kill new hatches before they have a chance to "foam up" and reduce the pesticide's effectiveness. [3]
References
  1. Bugguide.net, Philaenus spumarius (Meadow Spittlebug)
  2. University of Illinois Integrated Pest Management, Meadow Spittlebug Philaenus spumarius
  3. National Science Foundation, Center for Integrated Pest Management, Meadow Spittlebug
  4. Dr. Jo-Ann Bentz, United States National Arboretum, Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit, Management of Insect Pests of Ornamental Trees and Shrubs

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