| Meadow Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius (Linnaeus, 1758)) |
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Scientific name: Philaenus spumarius (Linnaeus, 1758) Common name: Meadow Froghopper French name: Cercope des prés, Philène spumeuse, Cicadelle écumeuse. Order: Hemiptera Family: Aphrophoridae Wingspan : 5-6 mm. Biotope: Various open habitats, damp meadows, open woodlands, broom moorlands. Geographic area: Palaearctic region, introduced to North America. Observation period : You can observe adults from July to October. The larvae grow in spring in secreted foam nests on plants. |
Philaenus spumarius is characterized by convex wings and by the lack of a median keel on the top of the head and on the thorax. The rear appears rounded on an upper side view. It is very variable in colour from yellowish to brownish or black with pale marks or even light-coloured with dark marks. About 20 colour forms have been listed. Homoptera of the Neophilaenus genus have hemelytra with a straight outer edge on the two first third starting from the base. Homoptera of the Aphrophora genus show a well marked median keel on the top of the head and on the thorax. The rear appears pointed on an upper side view. |
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The edge of the hemelytra seems to be rounded and I cannot see any median keel. So I think that this one is a Meadow Froghopper. |
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I have shot this picture with the flash and the light is too hard. It should not be very difficult to observe Meadow froghoppers again and shoot better pictures. |
André Bon March 2019