Red-Banded Leafhopper vs Citrus Spittlebug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Red-Banded Leafhopper Citrus Spittlebug
Scientific Name Graphocephala coccinea Clastoptera undulata
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Cicadellidae Clastopteridae
Size 7-9 mm 4-6 mm
Habitat Underground Orchards
Diet Sap Feeders Sap Feeders
Regions North America Southeastern United States, Mexico
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Red-Banded Leafhopper

A brilliantly colored leafhopper with alternating red and blue-green stripes. It is one of the most visually striking leafhoppers in North America.

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Did You Know?

Its candy-striped red and blue pattern makes it look more like a tiny piece of jewelry than an insect.

Citrus Spittlebug

A small oval-shaped spittlebug with dark brown and cream banding. Nymphs produce frothy spittle masses on pecan, citrus, and other trees throughout the southeastern United States.

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Did You Know?

Spittle masses produced by the nymphs can be so abundant on pecan trees that they rain down on people walking beneath, giving the impression of a light drizzle.