Spittlebugs
From BugwoodWiki
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Description
Adults are small, about 3 or 4 mm long, brown, with a reddish tinge, and have darker brown areas on the middle of the forewings. The wings normally have a roof-top appearance. The nymphs are small, about 3 mm long, creamy-white to green, wingless, and are normally covered with spittle (Figure 12).
Damage
Spittlebugs suck juices from the parts of the tree they attack -- usually buds, tender shoots, or nut clusters in spring and mid-summer. Heavy infestations rarely kill terminal shoots, resulting in a smaller crop. Older nuts are reduced in quality.
Seasonal History
Spittlebugs overwinter in the egg stage in small slits in the bark on twigs of the previous season’s growth. There are usually several eggs per slit. Nymphs appear in spring soon after the nuts are set and may be seen throughout the summer. Infestations are easily recognized by the white, spit-like froth that covers the nymphs. There are 3 to 4 generations per year in Georgia.
When to Control
Light infestations usually do not need control. Controls should be applied if 5% or more of nut bearing terminals have spittle masses.
