s9 1913 Nat. Hist: Surv: 
Illinois Natural History Survey 
Section of Faunistic Surveys & Insect Identification 
Urbana, Illinois 
March 15, 1955 Identification Notes 2 
THE LIBRARY OF THE 

Important Illinois Spittlebugs 
ADD BR {Gh6 
PAl an oe | iyvVJ 
Thomas FE. Moore 
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 
All five genera of United States spittlebugs occur in Illinois, represented 
by eighteen speciese Many of these species are important as plant disease 
vectors and agents of reduction of plant vitality. Adults are mainly responsi~ 
ble for disease transmission, but both adults and nymphs can cause great damage 
through feedinge All spittlebug nymphs produce frothy enclosures of "spittle" 
from their anal excretion composed of plant juices mixed with certain digestive, 
glandular, and excretory products. The nymphs live in their spittle masses 
and seldom emerge until adulthood, with the exception of the species that 
regularly leave the spittle to moult. Adults of the spittlebug family, or 
Cercopidae, may be distinguished from other families of the needle~horned 
series of the Homoptera by the presence of (1) two large lateral spines on 
each hind tibia (rather than rows of spines as in leafhoppers), and (2) setae 
situated just below the tip on these spines and those of the apical crown, 
figse 2, he Nymphs of this family may be recognized by (1) association with 
spittle, and (2) having setae situated just below the tips of the spines of 
the apical crown on each hind tibia, figs. 13, lh. 
Illustrations, labeled to show generic affinities, are drawn from speci- 
mens of the species mentioned in the texte The following keys will aid in the 
recognition of economically important species, 
Key to Genera (adults and nymphs) 
1. Fore wing longer than half the length of abdomen, some 
veins raised above wing surface; antenna comprised of 
three segments and an arista, figse 10, 20, 23... 
Pere eee es ie eas te eee et ee gs ROULDS ~@) 2 
Fore wing pad, when present, less than half as long as 
abdomen, no veins raised above surface of wing pad}; 
antemma of seven to nine segments, arista not present, 
Peso Ly 20 ee es yy tee se ks NyMOhS 4.6 
Adults 
2. Fore wing with a well developed membrane at apex, fige 
13; hind tibia with a single series of apical spines, 
Tite oe gs hb Slat ig wis € eo eee St Glaspoptera 
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NATIIBAI 
WALUNAL 
