Spittlebugs

Author: H. C. Ellis, Extension Entomologist

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	Clastopteridae
Subfamily	Clastopterinae
Tribe	Clastopterini
Genus	Clastoptera

Scientific Name

Clastoptera achatina

Common Name

pecan spittlebug

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.