froghopper

Everyday

A small jumping insect whose young live inside a blob of froth on plants, called cuckoo spit; also called a spittlebug. tree →

In the lessons

In nature lessons the froghopper is one of the best jumpers on Earth for its size. The white foam seen on plants in spring is «cuckoo spit», made by froghopper young to hide and keep moist — not spit from cuckoos. Phrases: «cuckoo spit», «spittlebug».

Examples

• A froghopper can jump much higher than its own body length. tree →
• The foam on the lavender is made by a froghopper nymph. tree →
• Froghoppers look a bit like tiny frogs. tree →
• Cuckoo spit has nothing to do with cuckoos — it's froghoppers. tree →
• We found a froghopper hiding in the bubbles. tree →

Note

Countable, one word. Myth: cuckoo spit is not bird spit.