Common Froghopper - Philaenus spumarius

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Description

Length 5-7 mm. A spectacularly variable species, with many dramatically different colour forms. Head pubescent without median keel, <10 spines on hind tarsi (c.f. >10 for Neophilaenus campestris). 

Identification difficulty
ID checklist (your specimen should have all of these features)

Can be identified from good quality photographs, preferably one from directly above and one from the side. 
 

Habitat

Usually on vegetation such as bushes in grassy areas.

When to see it

Adult: June to September.

Life History

The larvae are the familiar producers of 'Cuckoo-spit' in gardens.

UK Status

An extremely common species on a wide range of plants across the UK.

VC55 Status

Very common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

  • David Nicholls
    Cossington NR
    08 July 2010
  • David Nicholls
    Burbage Common
    01 July 2011
  • David Nicholls
    Burbage Common
    01 July 2011
  • David Nicholls
    Ratby Village Pond
    09 July 2011
  • David Gould
    The Spearwort Fields
    29/07/2017
    40 individuals showing variability (one day, one site)
  • David Nicholls
    Ratby
    24 June 2003
  • David Gould
    Narborough Bog NR
    06 July 2010
    dark form, with attached mite
  • David Gould
    Leicester Garden
    11 June 2011
  • Barbara Cooper
    Long Clawson
    17 July 2012
    mating pair
  • David Gould
    The Spearwort Fields
    14 August 2013
  • Mike Higgott
    Anstey garden
    18 June 2016

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species data profile ?

Species profile

Species group:
Bugs
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Hemiptera
Family:
Aphrophoridae
Records on NatureSpot:
526
First record:
24/06/2003 (Nicholls, David)
Last record:
15/10/2024 (Pochin, Christine)

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 Gould
    The Spearwort Fields
    06 July 2014
  • David Gould
    The Spearwort Fields
    10 August 2013
  • David Gould
    The Spearwort Fields
    10 August 2013
  • David Gould
    The Spearwort Fields
    10 August 2013
  • David Gould
    The Spearwort Fields
    10 August 2013
  • David Nicholls
    Cossington NR
    08 July 2010
  • Graham Calow
    M69 Island, Sapcote
    01 July 2009
  • David Nicholls
    County Hall, Glenfield
    01 September 2010
  • HAPeacock
    Leicester Garden
    17 July 2012
  • Graham Calow
    Broughton Astley
    24 June 2011
  • David Nicholls
    Ulverscroft NR
    12 July 2008
  • HAPeacock
    Leicester Garden
    05 July 2012
  • AJ Cann
    Priors Coppice
    26 July 2020
    Hind tarsi
  • AJ Cann
    Priors Coppice
    26 July 2020
    Aedeagus