Growing up in bubbles, part two

After feeding on lots of plant sap from within its blanket of bubbles, the spittlebug nymph sheds its skin...

The exuviae of a spittlebug nymph.

...and emerges as an adult froghopper.

An adult froghopper (Aphrophora sp.).

In addition to discarding its old exoskeleton, the adult froghopper abandons the bubbly shelter that kept it safe as a nymph.  It no longer needs to hide from its enemies, since it can easily escape them.  True to their name, froghoppers are very adept at hopping.  In fact, they are among the best hoppers in the world (especially when accounting for their size).

Explore some more: Guinness world record: highest jump by an insect and Jumping performance of froghopper insects

Growing up in bubbles, part one

Caterpillars are not the only animals that are resourceful in using their food plants to hide themselves from danger.  While hiding inside the plants' leaves and stems is relatively common, one group literally forms protective bubbles by blowing air into an excretion of the plants' sap.

Bubbles on a goldenrod (Solidago sp.) stem.

The result is a blob of bubbles, commonly referred to as frog spit, snake spit, or cuckoo spit.  However, the "spit" does not come from any frog, snake, or cuckoo; it comes from a small insect concealed underneath the bubbles.

Something is visible underneath the bubbles.

When the bubbles are brushed away, the bubble-blower -- a spittlebug -- is revealed.

A spittlebug (a.k.a. froghopper) nymph.

Although the bubbles were easy enough for me move aside, they apparently form an effective barrier against smaller enemies, as well as the elements.

Explore some more: "The frothblower"