Experts have issued a warning over a potentially “harmful” froth soon to be appearing on plants
The insect will coat itself in a ball of foam for protection as it sucks on the sap from plants. The creature’s offspring, known as froghoppers, will hatch on the leftover ball of foam.
The insect is usually active from the end of May up until the end of June so we are currently entering peak season for sightings of the froth in gardens across the UK. While the insects feed on the plants they don’t harm them, or humans, so gardeners don’t need to do anything to remove the spittle or the bug.
However, scientists are worried about a plant disease that could be spread by the spittlebug known as Xyella. If the disease was found in the UK it would destroy plants within a 100m radius. Scientists say that a 5km plant quarantine would need to be put in place for five years afterwards to prevent the disease wiping out native UK plant species.
As the spittlebug could play a major role in the spread of Xyella scientists have asked people to report any sightings of the bug or the froth it leaves. This is in case of any outbreaks so they can track what causes it.
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