Willow Spittlebug

Willow Spittlebug - Aphrophora salicina

Description

A large froghopper (Length 8-10 mm).  The forewings are uniformly olive green-brown with black punctures, and lack the dark banding of A pectoralis.

Close examination of the external genitalia of females or dissection of the male will help to confirm identification.  In females, the ovipositor is approximately as long as the anal tube. In males, the outer corner of the style (paramere) is angular (ref: Biedermann & Niedringhaus 2009). 

Similar Species

Other Aphrophora, especially A pectoralis

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Good quality photographs showing plain forewings

Habitat

Associated with willows.

When to see it

Adult: May to November.

UK Status

Local (ref: UK Auchenorrhyncha checklist, 2021 on British Bugs website)

VC55 Status

Rarely recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

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