Alder Spittlebug - Aphrophora alni

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Description

A large (9-10mm) froghopper associated with a wide variety of trees and shrubs (not just on Alder).   In side-view it has a strongly curved forewing with distinctive white spots near the margin.  

Similar Species

Other Aphrophora species. Variants of the common froghopper (Philaenus spumarius) can have similar markings.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Provide good field photographs, preferable one from directly above and one from the side. 

Habitat

On a wide range of trees and shrubs

When to see it

Adult: May to October.

UK Status

Common (ref: UK Auchenorrhyncha checklist, 2021 on British Bugs website)

VC55 Status

Common

Further Information

https://www.britishbugs.org.uk/homoptera/Aphrophoridae/Aphrophora_alni.html

  • David Gould
    The Spearwort Fields
    06 July 2014
  • David Nicholls
    Martinshaw Wood
    29 June 2007
  • David Nicholls
    New Lount
    27 September 2012
  • HAPeacock
    Leicester Garden
    16 August 2011
  • David Nicholls
    New Lount
    27 September 2012
  • AJ Cann
    Launde Big Wood
    14 August 2021

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species data profile ?

Species profile

Species group:
insect - true bug (Hemiptera)
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Hemiptera
Family:
Aphrophoridae
Records on NatureSpot:
113
First record:
29/06/2007 (Nicholls, David)
Last record:
04/07/2025 (Cann, Alan)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

Latest images

Latest records

  • David Nicholls
    Wirlybones Wood, Ratby
    17 June 2011
  • David Nicholls
    Cossington NR
    08 July 2010
  • David Nicholls
    Kirby Muxloe Castle
    13 September 2013
  • Barbara Cooper
    Long Clawson
    22 July 2013
    on silver birch
  • David Nicholls
    Lea Meadows
    07 July 2011
  • David Nicholls
    Ulverscroft
    15 September 2011
  • HAPeacock
    Leicester Garden
    16 August 2011
  • Barbara Cooper
    Long Clawson
    21 July 2015