Hello folks who wonder if some insects are antsy during the day because they did not have their coffee yet,
Have you ever wondered why do some of the plants have spittle out of nowhere? Did these plants overdose on crack cocaine or is there a random person spitting on every plant they hate to look at?
Turns out this spittle is caused by the nymph of a froghopper. Froghopper or Spittlebug nymphs are masters at hiding themselves while they transition to adulthood. These nymphs use their spittle just the same way Wall Street Bankers use their suits; to hide their evil intentions.
Below is one such nymph after it was removed from its spittle.
Most sucking insects feed on phloem, but spittlebugs feed on the water carrying xylem. Since xylem is low in nutrients they must ingest large quantities of it to get the amino acids required for their development. The spittle the nymphs secrete, help them from temperature fluctuations and hide them from predators.
This frothy mixture is not excreted from its mouth but its butt(and you thought blowing bubbles using your mouth was a superpower). The excess xylem is forced out of the abdomen under pressure and as it mixes with air, those bubbles are formed. They will cover this foam all over them using their hind legs so they don't dehydrate.
Below is a nymph moving its abdomen up and down, while secreting those bubbles.
Have you ever wondered why do some of the plants have spittle out of nowhere? Did these plants overdose on crack cocaine or is there a random person spitting on every plant they hate to look at?
Turns out this spittle is caused by the nymph of a froghopper. Froghopper or Spittlebug nymphs are masters at hiding themselves while they transition to adulthood. These nymphs use their spittle just the same way Wall Street Bankers use their suits; to hide their evil intentions.
Below is one such nymph after it was removed from its spittle.
Most sucking insects feed on phloem, but spittlebugs feed on the water carrying xylem. Since xylem is low in nutrients they must ingest large quantities of it to get the amino acids required for their development. The spittle the nymphs secrete, help them from temperature fluctuations and hide them from predators.
This frothy mixture is not excreted from its mouth but its butt(and you thought blowing bubbles using your mouth was a superpower). The excess xylem is forced out of the abdomen under pressure and as it mixes with air, those bubbles are formed. They will cover this foam all over them using their hind legs so they don't dehydrate.
Below is a nymph moving its abdomen up and down, while secreting those bubbles.
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