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Twolined Spittlebugs in Turfgrass 1
E. A. Buss and L. Williams2Spittlebugs are present throughout the entire state, but they are more abundant in northern and northwestern Florida. They attack all turfgrass species, but centipedegrass is the most susceptible. Adults also feed on ornamental plants, especially hollies (Ilex cassine or I. opaca).
Biology and Behavior
Adult twolined spittlebugs, Prosapia bicincta (Say) (Figure 1 ), are black with red eyes and legs and have two orange stripes across their wings. They are about 1/4 inch long. The nymphs are yellow or creamy in color with a brown head ( Figure 2 ). They are surrounded by a mass of white frothy spittle ( Figure 3 ) that they excrete for protection. Both adults and nymphs suck juices from the grass with their piercing-sucking mouthparts. But, damage ( Figure 4 ) is caused primarily by the adults through the injection of phytotoxic salivary substances. Adults are most active in early morning and hide near the soil surface during the heat of the day.
CREDITS: Lyle Buss, University of Florida
Figure 1. Twolined spittlebug adult.
CREDITS: J. L. Castner, University of Florida
Figure 2. Exposed spittlebug nymph.
CREDITS: E. A. Buss, University of Florida
Figure 3. Spittle mass on grass.
CREDITS: Larry Williams, UF/IFAS
Figure 4. Spittlebug damage on centipedegrass. There are usually two to three generations per year. There are four nymphal instars and the life cycle requires about 2 1/2 months. Eggs are laid at the base of the grass in the thatch, in hollow grass stems, or behind the leaf sheaths. Eggs laid by the second generation overwinter and hatch the following spring, usually from late March to late April. First generation adults are abundant in June. The adult population may peak again in August or September.
Detecting Infestations
Spittlebug feeding causes a purple and/or white stripe to run along the grass blades of infested turfgrass, especially centipedegrass. In heavy infestations, the turf wilts and the tips turn yellow, eventually brown, and then curl. In St. Augustinegrass, spittlebug injury resembles that of chinch bugs. However, unlike chinch bug injury, which tends to occur in sunny areas, spittlebug injury usually appears in shady areas.Most spittle masses occur near the soil surface or in thatch, so they are not readily visible. However, some dried spittle masses may appear on grass blades during adult emergence ( Figure 3 ). High moisture and humidity conditions favor their development. Typically, spittlebug numbers are higher during years with more spring and summer rainfall. Excess thatch also favors their development.
Cultural Control
Follow approved practices regarding mowing, fertilization and irrigation to reduce thatch buildup. If a thatch problem exists, dethatching should reduce spittlebug problems. Avoid over-irrigating turf to minimize infestation. Spittlebugs will not survive drought conditions.If possible, plant a more resistant turfgrass species or cultivar (e.g., St. Augustinegrass, seashore paspalum, zoysiagrass) and avoid centipedegrass.
Biological Control
None of the natural enemies of the twolined spittlebug have been identified.Chemical Control
To minimize turf injury, chemical control may be required when spittlebug populations are heavy. See Tables 1 and 2 for examples of products available on turfgrass. Be careful not to use a product labeled only for ornamental use against spittlebugs (e.g., cyfluthrin, imidacloprid). To improve control, mow and dispose of clippings before an insecticide is applied. Irrigating before treatment, or increasing the amount of water used in the spray solution will improve control. Granular formulations may not be as effective as liquids. It is best to monitor or apply insecticides late in the day when nymphs are higher on the plants than during the hot midday. Adult spittlebugs are usually more successfully controlled than nymphs, but may be on ornamental plants in addition to being in the turfgrass. The nymphs are protected by the spittle masses.Reference
Pass, B.C. and J.K. Reed. 1965. Biology and control of the spittlebug Prosapia bicincta in coastal bermudagrass. J. Econ. Entomol. 58: 275-278.
Tables
Table 1. Insecticides registered in Florida for non-commercial (homeowner) use against spittlebugs in turfgrass.
Chemical Name
Florida Registered Products
Chemical Class
Signal Word
Bifenthrin
Ortho Bug B-Gon Max Lawn and Garden Insect Killer
Pyrethroid Warning
Scott's Max Guard Insect Protection with Turf Builder Fertilizer
Caution
Carbaryl Garden Tech Sevin Concentrate Bug Killer Carbamate Caution Cyfluthrin
Bayer Advanced Lawn and Garden Multi-Insect Killer Pyrethroid Caution
Bayer Advanced Triple Action Insect Killer for Lawns & Gardens
Caution
Deltamethrin
Southern Ag Mole Cricket and Chinch Bug Lawn Insect Control
Pyrethroid Caution Imidacloprid + Beta-cyfluthrin
Bayer Advanced Complete Insect Killer for Soil & Turf
Pyrethroid
Caution
Lambda-cyhalothrin
Spectracide Triazicide Lawn & Garden Insect Killer
Pyrethroid Caution Permethrin
Bonide Eight Liquid
Pyrethroid Caution Real Kill Multi-Purpose Insect Killer Table 2. Insecticides registered for professional use against spittlebugs in Florida turfgrass.
Chemical Name
Florida Registered Products
Chemical Class
Signal Word
Bifenthrin
Onyx Pyrethroid Warning Talstar Lawn & Tree Flowable
Caution
Talstar One Caution Carbaryl Sevin SL
Carbamate Caution Sevin 80 WSP Warning Deltamethrin
DeltaGard T&O
Pyrethroid Caution DeltaGard T&O 5SC
Caution Lambda-cyhalothrin Scimitar CS Pyrethroid Caution Permethrin Astro Pyrethroid Caution Permethrin Pro Termite-Turf Ornamental Caution
Footnotes
1. This document is ENY-334 (LH077), one of a series of the Department of Entomology and Nematology, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Date first printed October 1993. Revised: June 2006. Please visit the EDIS Website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.2. E. A. Buss, assistant professor, Entomology and Nematology Department, Gainesville, and L. Williams, Okaloosa County Extension Agent, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida.
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Larry Arrington, Dean.
Copyright Information
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