Diamondback Spittlebug

Photo of a dull colored spittlebug adult on a twig
Scientific Name
Lepyronia quadrangularis
Family
Aphrophoridae (a family of spittlebugs), in superfamily Cercopoidea
Description

The diamondback spittlebug is common in weedy areas. The larvae live on plants, protected in spitty masses of foam as they suck sap. The adults are drab, well camouflaged, and jump away at any sign of danger, so few people notice them.

The diamondback spittlebug closely resembles three others in its genus in North America. All are tan with a darker diamond pattern on the back.

Learn more about this and other spittlebugs and froghoppers on their group page.

Media Gallery
Photo of a dull colored spittlebug adult on a twig
The diamondback spittlebug (Lepyronia quadrangularis) closely resembles 3 others in its genus in North America. All are tan with a darker diamond pattern on the back.
Donna Brunet
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Photo of a dull colored spittlebug adult on a twig
Similar Species
About Land Invertebrates in Missouri
Invertebrates are animals without backbones, including earthworms, slugs, snails, and arthropods. Arthropods—invertebrates with “jointed legs” — are a group of invertebrates that includes crayfish, shrimp, millipedes, centipedes, mites, spiders, and insects. There may be as many as 10 million species of insects alive on earth today, and they probably constitute more than 90 percent all animal species.