Genus Aphrophora

Aphrophora Germar 1821

19 spp. in several subgenera our area(1), >100 total(2)

subgenus Aphrophora

subgenus Pinimber

[last updated by SVH 2025–I-01]

Comparison of Aphrophora species (lateral+dorsal habitus where available) from authoritatively identified specimens; arranged by geography and similarity. Note that color pattern is often quite variable among many species (especially as a factor of age/seasonality).

PRIMARILY EASTERN NORTH AMERICAN SPECIES

Aphrophora salicina (Goeze, 1778) Willow Spittlebug

Similar in form to Aphrophora alni (Fallén, 1805), but the forewings are more uniformly colored. Introduced from the Palearctic, mostly restricted to New England; recently reported from Quebec. It is a specialist on willows.

Aphrophora alni (Fallén, 1805) European Alder Spittlebug

Similar in color to Aphrophora quadrinotata Say, 1830, but is larger and more elongate and often has yellow speckling on the thorax and base of the forewings. The forewing veins of A. quadrinotata also differ in bearing pale streaks. The vertex of the two species differ in markings and shape as well. Introduced from the Palearctic. Polyphagous.

Aphrophora quadrinotata Say, 1830 Four-spotted Spittlebug

A highly distinctive species. Similar in color to Aphrophora alni (Fallén, 1805). For differences, see above. Polyphagous.

Aphrophora quadrinotata obliterata Froeschner, 1946

This subspecies differs from the nominate form in being entirely dark. It is known only from Missouri.

Aphrophora cribrata (Walker, 1851) Pine Spittlebug

A highly distinctive species and the only member of the subgenus Pinimber Hamilton. It is the only species in the Eastern U.S. and Canada with an inflated frons. It is primarily on pines but has also been reported on Norway spruce.

Aphrophora saratogensis (Fitch, 1851) Saratoga Spittlebug

A generally distinctive, but variable species found throughout the eastern U.S. and Canada. The thick median white/yellow stripe on the head and thorax is diagnostic. This species is polyphagous, but seems to prefer pines.

Aphrophora parallela (Say 1824) Spruce Spittlebug

This species is very similar to A. saratogensis, but differs in being a much darker taxon that generally lacks the median white/yellow stripe on the thorax. The identity of this species is a historic issue. It feeds almost exclusively on spruce, though has been reported from other conifers.

Aphrophora gelida Walker, 1851 Boreal Spittlebug

This species is very similar to A. saratogensis and A. parallela. It’s a highly variable species with very striking color forms—it is the only species found in Eastern North America that can have a pale “diamond” marking on the thorax. It is perhaps most similar in external appearance to the Aphrophora permutata-complex of Western North America. Generally, this taxon has a much shorter head than the other reddish species of the east. This species is found on many plants, but prefers conifers as adults.

PRIMARILY WESTERN NORTH AMERICAN SPECIES

Aphrophora angulata Ball, 1899

A highly distinctive species in central and southern California. The strongly tapered forewings are unique among the U.S. fauna.

Aphrophora ampliata Hamilton, 1982

An apparently close relative of A. angulata, known only from British Colombia.

Aphrophora irrorata Ball, 1899

A very common western species which is very close to the Aphrophora permutata-complex of species (from which it likely cannot be differentiated in California and the Pacific Northwest without on-hand examination of a specimen). The ring-like spots on the forewings are characteristic of this species, which is a pine-feeder.

[NO PHOTOS]

Aphrophora annulata Ball, 1899

This southwestern species is very similar to A. irrorata. Identification may require examination of a specimen on-hand.

[NO PHOTOS]

Aphrophora permutata-complex

Identification of these three western species is likely not possible without examination of specimens on-hand and, even then, may not be possible. This group of species is generally quite distinctive with very extravagant color patterns, similar to Aphrophora gelida in the east.

Aphrophora fulva Doering, 1941 Western Pine Spittlebug

[NO PHOTOS]

Aphrophora maculosa Doering, 1941

[NO PHOTOS]

Aphrophora permutata Uhler, 1876 Douglas-fir Spittlebug

[NO PHOTOS]

Aphrophora princeps-complex

Identification of these two western species is likely not possible without examination of specimens on-hand and, even then, may not be possible. This group is very similar to the A. permutata-complex in external appearance and differs in a having a more stout and hump-backed form.

Aphrophora princeps Walley, 1928 Cone Spittlebug

[NO PHOTOS]

Aphrophora regina Hamilton, 1982

Aphrophora canadensis-complex

Identification of these three western species is likely not possible without examination of specimens on-hand and, even then, may not be possible. This complex is generally distinctive, composed of reddish species with subtle white markings (less extensive than those of the previously listed species complexes).

Aphrophora canadensis Walley, 1928

Known from Pinus mugo (Mugho pine).

[NO PHOTOS]

Aphrophora moscoviciae Thompson, 2021

The only Aphrophora found on the invasive Carpobrotus edulis (iceplant). The native host of this species is unknown; any Aphrophora associated with iceplant should be this species. It is the most recently described species in the genus.

[NO PHOTOS]

Aphrophora punctipes Walley, 1928

[NO PHOTOS]

This genus is in need of revision. Following consenus, we no longer recognize the subgenus Plesiommata Provancher, 1889 and consider the species placed Hamilton in Peuceptyelus Sahlberg, 1871 (A. princeps and A. regina) in Aphrophora. Peuceptyelus is considered here to be a full genus endemic to Eurasia. Aphrophora detrita (Walker, 1851) and Aphrophora gelida (Walker, 1851) are controversial names of uncertain status—here, we consider A. detrita a jr. syn. of A. saratogensis and consider A. gelida a valid species following Hamilton's work (though some authors treat the name as a jr. syn. of A. saratogensis). As of writing, this preference conflicts with the World Auchenorrhyncha Database(3).

The western species of this genus are notoriously difficult to differentiate from photographs alone. Species groups arranged into complexes on the site are generally not diagnosable without examination of the male terminalia.

Spittlebug nymphs wander away from their spittle masses, and either start new ones, or enter those of other nymphs. Aphrophora nymphs hold the record, of one spittle mass over a foot long containing about 100 individuals! (Andy Hamilton)

Aphrophorini dorsal surface is covered with punctations (tiny pits), whereas Cloviini and Philaenini dorsal surface has tiny hairs.