British Bugs
HOME A BIT ABOUT BUGS GALLERY SYSTEMATIC LISTS RECORDING BUGS CONTACT US LINKS

Philaenus spumarius Common Froghopper
Family: Aphrophoridae

A spectacularly variable species, with many dramatically different colour forms. Several of the most common are shown here, but it can also resemble the larger Aphrophora alni (which lacks the fine hairs of P. spumarius).

Distinguished from Neophilaenus species by the entirely convex outer margin of the forewing, and the vertex plate, which does not have a median keel. 
 
An extremely common species in a wide range of plants across the UK, the larvae are the familiar producers of 'cuckoo-spit' in gardens.

      

Adult: June to September
Length 5-7 mm
Phiulaenus spumarius
Adult: Flecknoe, Warwickshire (June 2007) ©Walwyn (Flickr.com)

Philaenus spumarius Philaenus spumarius
Adult: Reading, Berkshire (July 2008) ©Jonathan Michaelson

Adult: Reading, Berkshire (August 2008) ©Jonathan Michaelson
Philaenus spumarius
Philaenus spumarius
Adult: Cambridgeshire (August 2007) ©Will George
Adult: South London (September 2007) ©Joe Botting

Philaenus spumarius Philaenus spumarius
Adult: Reading, Berkshire (June 2008) ©Jonathan Michaelson

Adult: Lincoln (July 2008) ©Michael E. Talbot

Philaenus spumarius nymph
Adult:  (July 2008) ©David O'Shea

 Nymph, ?Philaenus spumarius:  (June 2007) ©Peter Birch