Leafhopper / Spittlebug

What it looks like

Leafhopper damage shows up as light, whitish speckling on grass blades from their feeding. Spittlebugs are easier to spot — look for small blobs of white, frothy 'spit' sitting right at the base of the grass or down in the thatch. That foam is a dead giveaway; nothing else in the lawn makes it.

Often mistaken for: General drought stress or other sap-feeding insect damage (without the spittle, leafhopper injury can look like ordinary heat/drought stippling)

When it shows up in the Triangle

Spittlebugs are most active from late spring through summer, especially in humid, thatchy lawns. Leafhoppers can be around anytime from spring through fall.

Where you’ll see it

Shows up in home lawns, especially thicker, thatchy turf like centipede grass.

What you can do

• Keep thatch thinned out — spittlebug nymphs live right in that spongy layer
• Avoid overwatering or letting the lawn stay soggy
• Mow regularly to keep grass from getting too thick and thatchy
• Check grass blades and thatch for the white foam or stippled leaves to catch it early