Spittlebugs!
Who spit on my plants? If you are asking this question, you have seen the evidence of the spittlebug. Spittlebugs are the nymphs of froghoppers, a tiny hopping insect. The nymphs emerge in spring to feed on a host plant through the growing season. They secrete a foamy white substance to protect themselves while they are on the host plant. Although unsightly, these bugs do very little damage to the plants themselves. A quick blast with a strong jet of water is usually all it takes to get rid of them. A good fall clean up will help prevent next year’s infestation by removing dead plant material where eggs can overwinter.
