Expert: Jim Hyland - 5/19/2011

Question
I HAVE 11 YEAR OLD LELAND CYPRESS TREES. THIS YEAR THEY ARE BEING COVERED BY SOME TYPE OF INSECT. THERE IS A GLOB OF LIQUID FOAM SUBSTANCE HANGING ON THE BRANCHES, AND ENCLOSED IN THE FOAM THERE APPEARS TO BE SOME VERY SMALL TYPE OF BEETLE- IT HAS THE APPEARANCE OF A BEETLE, 2-TONE BROWN. WHAT IS IT, AND HOW WORRIED SHOULD I BE???

Answer
The white frothy spots on your leyland are spittle bugs. A nymph is encrusted in plant juices for protection. Even when numerous on leylands they are often not a problem and are temporary.  A hard spray of water may dislodge them.  If desired orthene or diazinon insecticide can be used.

The adult spittlebug is a large (one-half inch long) leafhopper-like insect, brownish-gray in color. The nymphs are a creamy white insect, which feeds on cypress and other hosts. The nymph protects itself by secreting a foamy, white mass of “spittle” around itself. If you carefully wash off the foam, you will find one or two nymphs under each mass of spittle. These insects do little damage to their host. The spittle can be annoying, especially if it is present on twigs where persons and pets can get into it. In such locations, a forceful stream of water from a hose can be used to wash the spittle and the nymphs off the tree.