Alder spittlebug
As nymphs, this insect surrounds itself in a froth of bubbles blown from its own body fluid, staying hidden and moist until it moults into a winged adult.
| Where | Alder and willow trees near water |
|---|---|
| Size | 9 to 10 mm body length |
| When | June to October |
The Alder spittlebug is one of the largest froghoppers in Europe, its brown forewings marked with pale patches and fine dark punctures rather than the fine hairs found on some smaller relatives.
Nymphs live hidden inside a foam of froth on alder and willow twigs, moulting several times before emerging in summer as free living, jumping adults that remain active into autumn.
Traits
Habitat
Wetland
Colour
Brown
Active
Day
To people
Does not bite or sting; adults sometimes jump onto skin or clothing while moving between plants.
Activity through the year
Often confused with
Much smaller at 5 to 7 mm, finely hairy, and more variable in colour than the plainer, larger Alder spittlebug.
Questions
Is the Alder spittlebug dangerous to people?
Does not bite or sting; adults sometimes jump onto skin or clothing while moving between plants.
When can you see the Alder spittlebug?
The Alder spittlebug can be seen from June to October, by day.
Plate retouched from a museum specimen photo by Natural History Museum, CC0, GBIF Licence
Report a mistake in this entry
True bugs›Spittlebugs›Aphrophora
Last updated 2026-09-26. Every entry is checked against published sources.