Spittlebugs on Trees and Shrubs

Spittlebugs on pine tree stem

Updated: February 28, 2023

Key points

Spittlebugs are sucking insects that feed on various trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perennials.
The adults are froghoppers, 1/4-1/-2 inch long, dull-colored, broadly oval, with prominent eyes.
Most noticeable are the nymphs (immatures) which are covered with a white frothy material. The nymphs are smaller than the adults, and usually a pale greenish-yellow.
Both the adults and nymphs suck plant sap from the twigs and stems of host plants.
Some species appear to have a toxin that destroys plant tissue, causing leaf stunting, distortion, and twig dieback.
To monitor for this insect look for the white spittle masses on the terminal twigs of host plants from April through June (in Maryland).
The adults are present from July through September.

Frothy masses of spittle on the twigs of pine is noticeable in May and June.
Nymphs or the immature spittlebugs are found beneath the spittle.
They are black with whitish abdomens.
Adults are about 1/4 inch long and tan with 2 irregular, whitish bands on each wing.
They may be found feeding in the same location as the nymphs in July and August.
The pine spittlebug sucks sap from the twigs.
Scotch pine is its preferred host but it may also be found on pitch, Eastern white, Virginia, Jack, slash, loblolly, Japanese, and Mugo pines.