Spittlebugs or Froghopper

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   Spittlebugs or Froghopper, in Marathi also known as Thunki kidaProsapia bicincta

Spittlebug, common name for members of a family of plant-feeding insects, the nymphs of which cover themselves with a protective frothy material that looks like human spittle. Spittlebugs, like their relatives the aphids and cicadas, suck plant juices with their needlelike mouthparts. Although the bugs' feeding can distort or stunt herbaceous plants, they are generally harmless. Nymphs and their spittle can be washed off of plants with a forceful stream of water.

 These families are best known for the nymph stage, which produces a cover of frothed-up plant sap resembling spit; the nymphs are therefore commonly known as spittlebugs and their froth as cuckoo spit, frog spit or snake spit.
The froth serves a number of purposes. It hides the nymph from the view of predators and parasites, it insulates against heat and cold, thus providing thermal control and also moisture control. Without the froth the insect would quickly dry up. The nymphs pierce plants and suck sap causing very little damage, much of the filtered fluids go into the production of the froth, which has an acrid taste, deterring predators. A few species are serious agricultural pests.

The adult bug looks something like this (image taken from Google)

For more information visit -  http://www.entomology.umn.edu/cues/Web/199Spittlebugs.pdf

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Pranoti J-K Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 03 Oct 2013 Location: Dombivli Status: Offline Points: 58	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pranoti J-K Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Spittlebugs or Froghopper Posted: 06 Dec 2013 at 10:55am
	Spittlebugs or Froghopper, in Marathi also known as Thunki kida Prosapia bicincta Spittlebug, common name for members of a family of plant-feeding insects, the nymphs of which cover themselves with a protective frothy material that looks like human spittle. Spittlebugs, like their relatives the aphids and cicadas, suck plant juices with their needlelike mouthparts. Although the bugs' feeding can distort or stunt herbaceous plants, they are generally harmless. Nymphs and their spittle can be washed off of plants with a forceful stream of water. These families are best known for the nymph stage, which produces a cover of frothed-up plant sap resembling spit; the nymphs are therefore commonly known as spittlebugs and their froth as cuckoo spit, frog spit or snake spit. The froth serves a number of purposes. It hides the nymph from the view of predators and parasites, it insulates against heat and cold, thus providing thermal control and also moisture control. Without the froth the insect would quickly dry up. The nymphs pierce plants and suck sap causing very little damage, much of the filtered fluids go into the production of the froth, which has an acrid taste, deterring predators. A few species are serious agricultural pests. The adult bug looks something like this (image taken from Google) For more information visit - http://www.entomology.umn.edu/cues/Web/199Spittlebugs.pdf

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amitsamant Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 16 Jun 2012 Location: Dombivali Status: Offline Points: 738	Post Options Post Reply Quote amitsamant Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Dec 2013 at 1:28pm
	प्रणोती, मस्त माहिती लिहिली आहेस. हा किटक आपल्याकडे कोकणात आढळतो का? बर्‍याचवेळा छोट्या झुडूपांच्य देठ आणि फांदीच्या मध्ये असा गोळा पाहीला आहे. माझ्याकडे फोटो पण आहेत. नंतर पाठवतो. एकच छोटीशी सुचना, फोटो टाकतांना तो Resize करून टाक. आपली साईट अता मोठ्या प्रमाणत मोबईलवर पाहिली जाते. फोटो दिसायला खुप वेळ लागतो. अमित सामंत

Pranoti J-K Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 03 Oct 2013 Location: Dombivli Status: Offline Points: 58	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pranoti J-K Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Dec 2013 at 1:29pm
	Thanks for replying. Yes Dada Samant, This bug is seen even in Konkan as well... It is widely distributed.... Wherever we see spitting like object, its that bug family. First 2 photos i have taken in Murbad. About photos, Yes i will take care next time. Still need to familiarize with this. Edited by Pranoti J-K - 09 Dec 2013 at 1:30pm

Deepali Lanke Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 16 Feb 2013 Location: Pune Status: Offline Points: 230	Post Options Post Reply Quote Deepali Lanke Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Dec 2013 at 12:04pm
	Mastch Pranoti Great Efforts and you have written it very nicely.