Meet the Froghopper

Conchiolin · Post by **Conchiolin** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 1:47 pm

Meet this very common bug on the Maltese Islands. In 5 minutes i found about 15 'nests' if they can be called so in many different plants but (surprise,surprise!!) never on Cape Sorrel (oxalic acid is behind this I'm sure

)

The nest or the mass of bubbles made from a rather viscous liquid is very important for the froghopper so that it may escape from predators and drought maybe, and i think it's a really effective way and maybe that's the reason why it's so common.

It sucks the xylem sap to produce these bubbles and the bug stays comfortably in this mass i really don't know if it aestivates or anything and i also found out that it's a pest but I've never seen any damage done by this bug.

Believe it or not i've never seen this bug hop either!

I don't know if the species we have is endemic.
There's so much i don't know about this bug.

A few pics:
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IL-PINE · Post by **IL-PINE** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 3:06 pm

10x
I did not even know such a creature existed.

wolf · Post by **wolf** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 5:07 pm

intersting threads you are starting here Conchiolin ...even though you sport an unpronouncable name !

wolf

Conchiolin · Post by **Conchiolin** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 12:23 pm

Thank you very much!

Some more info on the Frog hopper and it really has a peculiar technique how to produce the bubbles:

http://www.ivyhall.district96.k12.il.us ... lebug.html

It is also known as the Spittle bug:
The one that lives on the Maltese Islands is the:
Philaenus spumaius
aka 'Pulcinel' in Maltese.

Hey Wolf i guess i admit i'm little bit complicated

so you know complicated people tend to have complicated names or User-names rather. Anywhoooooooo conchiolin is the protein found in the operculum of molluscs and its pronounced as:

'konkjolin'

But what i don't understand is why is your nick so simple, so 'mundane*' not mystical as Harry Potter (and i) would call it.

* You don't know what this word is? Google it! (Just kiddin u know!)

Post by **MWP admin** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 12:51 pm

I leant to know about this insect from Robcar last Wied Znuber Visit. One of the first things I done with "Conchiolin" was to find out if his nick meant something - and in fact it did as mentioned.

Thanks for sharing, guys like you make the forum nicely structured and interesting. I gave up on posting insects ID as I have several images to identify, and not much members who intend on this subject on this forum.

Conch, do you intend on Insectifera?

Conchiolin · Post by **Conchiolin** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 2:59 pm

Yes i like insects very much i find them fascinating. I'm aiming to become a Forensic Entymologist you know those that try to establish the time of death of the vic by analysing the stage of development of the different fly larvae feeding on corpse.

But i'm just a 16-year old student

I hope i didn't make you vomit by that corpse thing.

wolf · Post by **wolf** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 4:51 pm

hey conchiolin

whats so mundane about my name ????

great animal......great team.....ooops !! i overstepped somewhat there

just kidding too mind you

wolf

IL-PINE · Post by **IL-PINE** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 10:51 pm

fi kliem iehor qallek li ikrah

wolf · Post by **wolf** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 5:55 am

pine - watch it woof woof !!

Conchiolin · Post by **Conchiolin** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 12:47 pm

Hey pine don't you know that there's also a Pine Spittlebug? better watch out for those they may suck your xylem sap

LOL But not to worry i don't think there are any here in Malta.

Anyhow i keep saying your Nick is so Mugglish and ordinary, wolf ,hope to see your wolfy appearance someday.

IL-PINE · Post by **IL-PINE** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 6:36 pm

Issa I start putting Sunscreen against the Spittlebug....
qas iddurli!

Hope to meet you soon, king!