Alder Spittlebug

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

Additional images

All NatureSpot records