(Aphrophora parellela and A. saratogensis)
The pine spittlebug may cause serious injury to Scotch and white pines. The Saratoga spittlebug kills branches of jack and red pines. The pine spittlebug adults are grayish brown, wedge-shaped insects, ½ inch long. The females lay their eggs at the base of buds in late summer. The eggs hatch the following May, and the young insects suck the sap from twigs and the main trunk. Drops of undigested sap mixed with air are excreted by the bug, producing the frothy "spittle" that surrounds its body. Some of the excreted sap drops onto lower branches, which may be colonized by a black sooty mold fungus. The life cycle of the Saratoga spittlebug is similar, but the tan females lay their eggs on plants beneath the tree. The adults migrate to trees in late June, feed until late fall, and then return to the low-growing plants to lay their eggs.
Spray with an insecticide containing acephate when insects are first noticed--in late May and again in July for the pine spittlebug, and in late June or early July for the Saratoga spittlebug. Use high pressure.
Plant Care for Pinus