Common Froghopper vs Water Boatman

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Common Froghopper Water Boatman
Scientific Name Philaenus spumarius form typicus Corixa punctata
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Aphrophoridae Corixidae
Size 5-7mm 6-10 mm
Habitat Underground Ponds & Lakes
Diet Sap Feeders Herbivores
Regions Europe, North America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Common Froghopper

The classic form of the common froghopper with mottled brown coloring. Creates the familiar cuckoo-spit on plants.

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Did You Know?

The white frothy cuckoo-spit on plants is produced by nymphs blowing air into a sticky fluid excreted from their rear end.

Water Boatman

A small, oval aquatic bug with oar-like hind legs fringed with swimming hairs. Unlike most aquatic bugs, water boatmen are primarily herbivores that scrape algae from underwater surfaces.

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Did You Know?

Male water boatmen produce the loudest sound relative to body size of any animal on Earth, singing at 99 decibels by rubbing a ridge on their genitalia against their abdomen.