froghopper

American  

[frog-hop-er, frawg-] / ˈfrɒgˌhɒp ər, ˈfrɔg- /

noun

1. any of numerous leaping, homopterous insects of the family Cercopidae, which in the immature stages live in a spittlelike secretion on plants.

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froghopper British  

/ ˈfrɒɡˌhɒpə /

noun

1. Also called: spittle insect.   spittlebug.  any small leaping herbivorous homopterous insect of the family Cercopidae , whose larvae secrete a protective spittle-like substance around themselves

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Etymology

Origin of froghopper

First recorded in 1705–15; frog ¹ + hopper

Example Sentences

“Spittlebug” is a term that refers to the immature stage of insects often called froghoppers.

From Science Magazine

Spittlebugs are in a class of insects called froghoppers.

From Washington Post

To show the power of the froghoppers’ suction, Dr. Matthews, Elisabeth Bergman, a master’s student he advised, and Emma Green, an undergraduate volunteer, examined the insects’ morphology and tested their metabolic abilities in 2019.

From New York Times

More than 11,000 sightings of the spittlebug, or froghopper, have been recorded across the UK, with the south of England proving a stronghold.

From BBC

Eventually the spittlebugs retreat into one large bubble and undergo a transformation to emerge as froghoppers.

From New York Times