Scarlet and Black

There has been a sudden emergence of these colourful froghoppers Cercopis vulnerata recently. These were photographed in Teesdale yesterday. My impression is that they are becoming more common locally. Their nymphs feed on the roots of plants so, unlike the common froghoppers whose nymphs produce the familiar 'cuckoo spit' on stems, these don't attract attention until they emerge as adults.

Gaudy Froghopper

Several bloggers have recently posted images of this gaudy little froghopper Cercopis vulnerata, which reminded me that it's a long time since I've seen one - until today. This was one of several amongst the leaves of rose-bay willow herb.

Unlike the familiar brown froghoppers whose larvae develop in a frothy mass of 'cuckoo spit' on plant stems, this species' larvae develop underground on plant roots, where several huddle together in a patch of solidified froth - perhaps on the roots of the rose-bay willow herb plants.