Spittlebug - Philagra parva
Family Aphrophoridae
This page contains pictures and information about Spittlebugs that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.
- Body length 8mm
- The insect has a narrow curved horn on the front of the head. Its wings are brown in colour. They are common in Brisbane.
- Their nymphs produce 'spittle' clinging to the stems of shrubs or small trees to reduce the risk of dehydration or to deter parasites. Those spittle is sometimes known as cuckoo-spit.
- When carefully remove those 'spittle', we can see an insect nymph hiding inside.
- Also notice the black dots on the stems, which are the damages done by the insect.
- Those spit can be found on Wattle tree and Australian Pine as well.
- Reference and links:
- 1. Insects of Australia, CSIRO, Division of Entomology, Melbourne University Press, 2nd Edition 1991, pp 468.
- 2. Family Aphrophoridae, Spittlebugs - Fletcher, M.J. and Larivière, M.-C. (2001 and updates).
- 3. Philagra parva - Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of the Environment and Heritage
