No, I didn’t do this. I simply took the picture. This is the domicile of a spittle bug, which is also known as a froghopper. There is an insect within that white foam (which is not spit, by the way).

When we were last at Roundrock, we saw dozens of these little frothy nests on some of the grasses. This one happens to be on Libby’s Island, but we had seen them nearly everywhere the grasses grew. I have seen these in past summers (okay, late springs), but they were never in the number I saw them on the last visit. I hope it is not a sign of an infestation.

I understand there are more than 23,000 varieties of spittle bugs, so which one this one is, I can’t tell you. (I didn’t even bother to part the foam to have a look at the insect within.) These bugs will suck the juices out of plants, and they build up such a supply of liquid that they secrete it (or is it excrete it? I’m not sure) and then whip it into this froth. After that, they arrange the bubbles around them and continue to eat happily. The foam protects them from predators as well as help them regulate heat and cold.

Most interesting is a recent finding that these are the champion jumpers in the insect world. Spittle bugs (at least some varieties) can jump as high as two feet. If you don’t believe me, trust NPR. They wouldn’t get it wrong.

Missouri calendar:

• Orioles begin building a gray woven nest; takes about a week.

Posted by: Roundrockjournal    Source

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