Two-lined spittlebug
Nymphs wrap themselves in a mass of self-made foam bubbles, hiding in plain sight while they feed on grass stems underneath.
| Where | Lawns, turfgrass and pastures |
|---|---|
| Size | 8 to 11 mm body length |
| When | April to October |
The Two-lined spittlebug is a small, wedge-shaped insect about 8 to 11 mm long, black overall with two parallel orange to red lines across the closed forewings and a bright reddish abdomen hidden beneath them.
Wingless nymphs live inside a mass of white foam they produce themselves while feeding on grass and other low plants, and heavy infestations turn patches of turfgrass yellow, then brown or purplish. Adults are most active in warm weather and are common on centipede grass lawns.
Traits
Habitat
Towns
Colour
Black, Orange, Red
Active
Day
To people
A turfgrass pest; not a risk to people.
Activity through the year
Often confused with
Is smaller at about 5 to 7 mm and mottled brown, black and white, without the Two-lined spittlebug's solid black wings and orange stripes.
Questions
Is the Two-lined spittlebug dangerous to people?
A turfgrass pest; not a risk to people.
When can you see the Two-lined spittlebug?
The Two-lined spittlebug can be seen from April to October, by day.
Plate retouched from a photo by Sam Kieschnick, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist Licence
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True bugs›Froghoppers›Prosapia
Last updated 2026-09-27. Every entry is checked against published sources.