spittle
Quick Summary
Spittle is a frothy substance produced by the nymphs of froghoppers, also known as spittlebugs. These insects, belonging to the family Cercopidae, exude this fluid from their alimentary tract. The spittle is created when a secreted fluid from the anus is mixed with a mucilaginous substance from abdominal glands. Air bubbles are incorporated, forming a protective mass that shields the nymph from predators and dehydration, even during heavy rain. Adults do not produce spittle. Some species can cause significant crop damage, while others are known for producing large amounts of spittle that can drip from trees.12
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
froghopper…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. The taxonomy of…
Read More…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. The taxonomy of…
Read More
homopteranSpittleExuded from the alimentary tract by nymphs of the Cercopidae (i.e., spittlebugs) are spittle masses commonly found on stems of meadow plants. The spittle fluid is voided from the anus after it has been mixed with a mucilaginous substance excreted by epidermal glands of…
Read MoreExuded from the alimentary tract by nymphs of the Cercopidae (i.e., spittlebugs) are spittle masses commonly found on stems of meadow plants. The spittle fluid is voided from the anus after it has been mixed with a mucilaginous substance excreted by epidermal glands of…
Read More