classification and description of common insects 1 53 

 Cercopid^ (Froghoppers or Spittle Insects) 



(Consult Bull. 254, Maine Agr. Expt. Station) 



These insects commonly occur in meadows and are often conspicuous 

 by the large number of frothy masses resembling spittle on the leaves 

 of grass, clover and weeds. The injury done is difficult to estimate but 

 it must be considerable in the aggregate. Philccnus sptimarius and P. 

 lineatus are common in meadows, and Aphrophora parallela Say on 

 pines. 



Meadow Froghopper {Philcenus spumarius Linn.).^ — This insect 

 feeds on oats and a wide range of plants, many of them weeds, but 

 not on grasses. The injury is apparent in the formation of withered 

 or dwarfed seeds. 



Adult. — Body elongate-oval, head bluntly angular, wing-covers 

 extending well beyond the end of abdomen. Color pale grey to black, 

 and the markings quite irregular in form. 



Eggs. — Elongate-elliptical, one side straight, the other curved. 

 Shell tough and hard; hibernate in dead stems or leaves in 

 meadows. 



Nymphs. — Almost colorless; three instars; antennae 9-jointed. The 

 viscid frothy masses excreted from anal opening and certain lateral 

 glands on seventh and eighth abdominal segments. The masses are 

 believed to be protective. 



Control. — Rotation of crops; early mowing to kill the nymphs; 

 burning the surface dead grass to kill the eggs. 



Grass-feeding Froghopper {Philcenus lineatus L.).- — This spittle 

 insect is found almost exclusively on grasses, especially on timothy 

 and red top, and undoubtedly does considerable injury. It causes 

 withering of the stems and blasting of the heads. 



Adult. — Distinguished from P. spumarius by its longer head, and 

 narrowed body with more nearly parallel sides. Front of head rounded- 

 angular and as wide as thorax. Color grey with a whitish costal 

 margin and a blackish border line. 



Eggs. — Hibernate; hatch late in spring. 



Nymphs,— Three or more instars; mature in July. 



