Pine Spittlebug vs Beet Armyworm

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pine Spittlebug Beet Armyworm
Scientific Name Aphrophora cribrata Spodoptera exigua
Order Hemiptera Lepidoptera
Family Aphrophoridae Noctuidae
Size 9-12 mm 25-30 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Sap Feeders Herbivores
Regions North America Worldwide warm regions
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Pine Spittlebug

A large spittlebug that feeds on pine and other conifers, producing masses of froth on branches. Heavy infestations can cause branch dieback in young pine plantations.

💡

Did You Know?

A single nymph can produce several milliliters of spittle per hour by pumping air into excreted xylem fluid.

Beet Armyworm

A small grayish-brown moth whose green caterpillars attack a wide range of vegetable and field crops. Larvae often skeletonize leaves before moving to fruits and growing points.

💡

Did You Know?

Young larvae spin fine silk threads that allow them to balloon on the wind to new host plants.