I Love Foam! - _TNY_0239
The meadow froghopper (Philaenus spumarius), also known as the meadow spittlebug, is polyphagous, ie they don't have a specific host plant which the larvae eat. In fact, they have been recorded on over 170(!) different hosts species.
The foam nest that the larvae spend their time in before emerging as adults (around 50 days) both serves as protection against predators as well as retain moisture is not created by the female laying the eggs, but instead something the larvae themselves produce. The scientific name, Philaenus spumarius actually means "foam lover".
I Love Foam! - _TNY_0239
The meadow froghopper (Philaenus spumarius), also known as the meadow spittlebug, is polyphagous, ie they don't have a specific host plant which the larvae eat. In fact, they have been recorded on over 170(!) different hosts species.
The foam nest that the larvae spend their time in before emerging as adults (around 50 days) both serves as protection against predators as well as retain moisture is not created by the female laying the eggs, but instead something the larvae themselves produce. The scientific name, Philaenus spumarius actually means "foam lover".