Froghoppers are small, brown insects that can jump great distances if threatened.  They hold their wings together like a tent over their body.  Their larvae are more commonly seen coated in a mass of froth – or cuckoo spit – on plant stems.  This froth protects the larva from predators as it feeds on young leaves and shoots and it also stops it from drying out.  The larva produces the froth by forcing air into a fluid exuded from its anus.  Plant sap larvae eat young leaves.

Froghopper, also called spittlebug or cuckoo spit insect, any of numerous species of small (less than 1.5 cm [0.6 inch] long) hopping insects.  They produce a frothy substance known as spittle.  The whitish nymph secretes a fluid through the anus that is mixed with a secretion from the abdominal glands.  Air bubbles are introduced through a special valve on the abdomen to create spittle that protects the larva from enemies and desiccation.  Froth masses appear on plants from May onwards.  Young growth may be distorted, and occasionally wilt but damage is seldom severe.  During the autumn, females lay their eggs in stems in batches of about 30.  Eggs overwinter and hatch in May.

Treatment – Spray with a strong jet of water or pick off by hand.