Cuckoo spit

I went into the garden to check on my spiders and found the Golden Penda on the point of blooming. On closer inspection, I found bunches of white bubbles scattered throughout the tree and next to this one, the culprit. This brown insect with the attractively turned-up nose, is a Spittlebug (Philagra parva). Its nymphs produce the spittle in which they hide. The spittle, sometimes called cuckoo spit, is said to reduce the risk of dehydration and to deter predators. They are not good for the tree as they suck on its sap, so I ruthlessly dispersed all the bubbles I could find. I hope this Spittlebug goes elsewhere.

[michansam]

I think you're a much kinder gardener than me... I would have taken the photo, killed the bug then removed the bubbles!
Great photo of her with the bubbles though. Well spotted. Hope they haven't done too much damage.

[Carolyn White]

I love your caption! I wasn't sure what the pic was going to be. LOL! I've seen some yucky stuff like that on plants in the field. I wonder if we have Spittlebugs. I'll have to look it up. Strange looking little insect! Great capture! :0)

[wendy chapman]

Ooh you are a tough one. They are kind of cute but the health of your tree tops their cuteness. Great shot of the "nosey" little guy.

[Drew]

Ahhh so that's what it is! I saw these bubbles recently and wondered what the hell it was from.

Great capture as always Robin.

[robinwarner]

robin, you are a regular 411 :) that is a phone number in the states the we call for information...so it is an expression that we use when people have all the answers for us. well done...you impress me daily.

[Paul Myers]

Those are quite common in the mountains of California. Nice capture.

[Robin]

@robinwarner Thanks Robin. That's so funny. I shall have to get my friends and family to start calling me Agent 411.

[Amber D]

@robinwarner @girlie Agent 411!! I like that! Robin, that fits you, perfectly!!

[Amber D]

Great capture! When bugs like that appear in the Greenhouse, we have to hit them hard with hose spray to rid of them.

[Jennifer C]

how interesting and unusual! Hope he disappears but thanks for sharing

[Susan]

Wow how interesting. I learn so much from you.

[Jason Daniels]

Nice shot Agent 411, I have learned something new today :)

[Robin]

@bobfoto Thanks Jason. I bet you'll find this in your garden if you check it out, too. They get into my Golden Penda every year.

[Pankaj Sharma]

Wonderful shot and the info..

[Jason Daniels]

@girlie - now that you mention it, I reckon I did see some spit in the Penda earlier in the season. Must check it out whenever I get home again...

[Diana Feeney]

I saw some bubbles in a tree the other day and wondered if they were eggs - I should have looked closer. Great capture Robin

[Linda Paul]

Hmmm. I've seen spittle like that on plants in the woods. I never knew what caused it. Next time I'll look closer to see if I can find the culprit.

[molizard]

Definitely have spittle bugs around here. Not so much a problem for gardens. They tend to stay in the open space chaparral areas. Nice shot! Usually I only see the spittle not the adult.

[marg]

wow - you get some odd critters up north Robin - you have an eagle eye however - good spotting.

[Geertje K.]

I'm glad you took a picture before removing it, so interesting!

[Mike Fitzgerald]

Eweee. Very odd.

[Pilot's Wife]

Strange bug but great shot!

[elkehochban]

Great shot! I'd have done the same!

[Henriette Sparkes]

Fantastic shot and story!

[Alecio]

as always great colors and the details are amazing

[Bill Dodsworth]

Wonderful pic!

[Shannon Pitton]

Another great macro. We have spittlebugs here as well, but they are green in color, interesting.

[Maryellen Bauer]

This is so interesting. I don't think I've ever seen a spittlebug. Great capture.

[Alecio]

Again, details and colors are awesome.