Taxonomy

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Arthropoda
Subphylum	Hexapoda
Class	Insecta
Subclass	Pterygota
Infraclass	Neoptera
Superorder	Paraneoptera
Order	Hemiptera
Suborder	Auchenorrhyncha
Infraorder	Cicadomorpha
Superfamily	Cercopoidea
Family	Aphrophoridae
Subfamily	Aphrophorinae
Tribe	Aphrophorini
Genus	Aphrophora

Scientific Name

Aphrophora parallela

Common Name

pine spittlebug

Author: H.C. Ellis, University of Georgia

The pine spittle bug Aphrophora parallela (Say) occurs throughout most of the eastern states. Its favorite host appears to be Scots Pine, but it also attacks Virginia Pine and a variety of other pines. It attacks trees of all sizes and ages.

Description

Adults are tan to dark reddish-brown, blunt, wedge-shaped insects somewhat resembling leafhoppers. They have two narrow, light bands, usually bordered by darker bands, on each wing cover and are 8 - 11 mm long. The wingless nymphs are usually found in frothy "spittle" masses and have a dark brown to black head and thorax with a cream-colored abdomen.

Damage

Spittlebugs feed bu sucking plant sap. Heavy infestations can cause yellowing and stunting of new growth. Dieback of plant tips rarely occurs.

Life History and Habits

Spittlebugs usually spend the winter as eggs laid in dead woody tissue or just under the bark of twigs in July and August. Overwintering eggs hatch in the spring (April or May), and the young nymphs feed on twigs. While feeding, nymphs produce a droplet of clear fluid which surrounds their bodies, bubbles of air are incorporated into the fluid, giving rise to the characteristic spittle mass. The size of the spittle mass depends upon the size and number of nymphs congregating at the same feeding site. Nymphs move often and form new spittle masses at each stop. Older nymphs migrate to the trunk where there may be many in a single mass. When full grown, they move back to the needles and transform into adults, which are usually numerous in July and August. They feed without producing spittle masses. There is normally only one generation per year.

Control

Spittlebugs are often controlled by applications for tip moths or other pests. Spittle masses are striking and obvious. The insects can be controlled with various insecticides when masses appear.