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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies (Hemiptera) » True Hoppers (Auchenorrhyncha) » Cicadas, Spittlebugs, Leafhoppers, and Treehoppers (Cicadomorpha) » Spittlebugs (Cercopoidea) » Froghoppers (Cercopidae) » Ischnorhininae » Tomaspidini » Prosapia » Two-lined Spittlebug (Prosapia bicincta)

Species Prosapia bicincta - Two-lined Spittlebug

Classification · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Numbers · Size · Identification · Range · Season · Food · Life Cycle · Remarks · See Also · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited
Two-lined Spittlebug - Prosapia bicincta beetle - Prosapia bicincta Red/Orange striped black insect - Prosapia bicincta Prosapia bicincta spittlebug - Prosapia bicincta Leafhopper_07022021_GH_4782_1 - Prosapia bicincta two lined spittlebug - Prosapia bicincta Two-line Spittle bug - Dorsal - Prosapia bicincta
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)
Suborder Auchenorrhyncha (True Hoppers)
Infraorder Cicadomorpha (Cicadas, Spittlebugs, Leafhoppers, and Treehoppers)
Superfamily Cercopoidea (Spittlebugs)
Family Cercopidae (Froghoppers)
Subfamily Ischnorhininae
Tribe Tomaspidini
Genus Prosapia
Species bicincta (Two-lined Spittlebug)
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Prosapia bicincta (Say)
Orig. Comb: Cercopis bicincta Say 1830
Numbers
2 spp. n. of Mex.
Size
Adults about 8-10 mm (1)
Identification
Adults are black with (typically) two red to orange lines crossing the wings. Eyes are red. Some adults lack the lines, are mostly black above:
  
Distinguish these from similar Prosapia ignipectus by examining underside--ignipectus has bright red coxae.

Nymphs are usually concealed by the foam they produce, but are supposed to resemble adults but without wings.
Range
e US (TX-FL-MA-SD) (BG data)
Season
summer, but most reliably found in July (BG data)
Food
In the immature (nymph) stage (surrounded by the "spittle" foam which protects them, and which they produce from juices they suck from the plant) they feed on centipedegrass, bermudagrass and other grasses, including occasionally corn.
Adults feed on hollies - they feed on the underside of leaves, and damage shows up as pale mottling not usually visible from above.
Life Cycle
Two broods, overwinter as eggs (2).
Remarks
Considered a pest of grasses and hollies, though damage is usually relatively minor.
Adults may exude a smelly chemical in defense if disturbed.
See Also

Prosapia ignipectus - Red-legged Spittlebug
Print References
Arnett, p. 297 (1)
Cranshaw, pp. 368-369 (3)
Swan and Papp, p. 136 (2)
Internet References
Floridanature.org
Clemson.edu
Works Cited
1.American Insects: A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico
Ross H. Arnett. 2000. CRC Press.
2.The Common Insects of North America
Lester A. Swan, Charles S. Papp. 1972. Harper & Row.
3.Garden Insects of North America : The Ultimate Guide to Backyard Bugs (Princeton Field Guides)
Whitney Cranshaw. 2004. Princeton University Press.
Contributed by Troy Bartlett on 16 February, 2004 - 12:32pm
Additional contributions by cotinis, Hannah Nendick-Mason, Beatriz Moisset, Bbarnd, Mike Quinn
Last updated 13 June, 2016 - 7:34am

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