Spittle Bugs

General discussions on hiking in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest
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drm
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Spittle Bugs

Post by drm » June 8th, 2020, 8:49 am

The spittle bugs were out in force on my recent trip on Herman Creek. All that foam is the spittle/saliva of an insect that is probably hiding in there at the time. It was hard not to brush up against this disgusting stuff as Herman Ck trail was brushier than I've ever seen it, presumably due to more sunlight after the fire. Yuck.
hpct1.jpg

pcg
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Re: Spittle Bugs

Post by pcg » June 8th, 2020, 9:28 am

Froghopper nymphs. I have several million on my property right now, and a few on my pant legs.

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texasbb
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Re: Spittle Bugs

Post by texasbb » June 9th, 2020, 7:20 am

Those things are pure evil.

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retired jerry
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Re: Spittle Bugs

Post by retired jerry » June 9th, 2020, 8:27 am

do they damage plants? Like in my garden?

are they just icky when you brush against them?

sometimes I'll hose them off.

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texasbb
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Re: Spittle Bugs

Post by texasbb » June 9th, 2020, 9:41 am

They're just icky. I hate hitting them on thick bushwhacks. As I understand it they're pretty easy on the plants they defile.

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drm
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Re: Spittle Bugs

Post by drm » June 9th, 2020, 10:16 am

The plants are just lacking in dignity. :lol:

RobinBaker
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Re: Spittle Bugs

Post by RobinBaker » June 10th, 2020, 8:09 am

The spittle provides a source of nourishment for butterflies:

https://vimeo.com/424993854

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