Garden Tool Set

Cuckoo Spit

Symptoms: As in the photo to the left, white froth appears on the leaves, stem or flowers of many plants - here on lavender. This happens around early summer.

Cause: This is caused by the immature nymph stage of froghoppers. The froth protects and provides moisture of the immature nymphs. From mid-summer onwards they reach adult form and the froth will become less noticeable. More information on froghoppers here.

Control: Control is not normally necessary as the cuckoo spit is temporary and the plant can normally handle the amount of sap lost to the immature nymphs. If the nymphs are feeding at the tips of the plant, then remove by hand or accept that come distorted growth may occur.


One of the reasons that I like this blog is because of the readers. Lucy commented below about brushing aside the 'spit' to reveal the nymph. Naturally I had to rush out and do this. I was surprised at the size of it, nearly a centimetre long and brilliant green. Here's a photo. Thanks to Lucy - to visit her fab blog click here.