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Ornamentals and Turf |
Around this time each year, twolined spittlebugs often appear. I have not received complaints yet and I am not certain how the weather has affected these insects, but be alert to their presence. Twolined spittlebugs are small (1/4 inch in length), dark-colored insects that resemble overgrown leafhoppers. They have two orange lines across the wings. As these small insects fly, the dark red abdomen shows conspicuously. In late summer and early fall, the adult twolined spittlebugs fly to hollies (and other plants) to feed. They cause hollies to become splotchy and yellow and cause the leaves to drop prematurely. Female twolined spittlebugs lay their eggs in turfgrasses. The eggs are inserted into the plant stem or between the stem and leaf sheath. When the nymphs hatch from their eggs, they begin to feed. Spittlebugs suck sap from the plants with their needle-like mouthparts. As the nymphs feed, they excrete the spittle which protects them from predaceous mites and insects. Because spittlebugs feed on turfgrasses near the soil, their numbers may be high without being noticeable. Only after the adults emerge is the seriousness of an infestation realized. Orthene may be used for twolined spittlebugs management on hollies in mid to late summer if the problem is serious. In most cases plants are not threatened to the point of requiring chemical control. Ornamentals and Turf Insect Information Note No. 97 explains some of the biology of twolined spittlebugs.
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Last modified on September 3, 2002 by Stephen J. Toth, Jr.
