# Common Froghopper (*Cercopis vulnerata*) The Common Froghopper is a small insect that can jump really high! They are often found on plants, where they suck up sap and hop around quickly. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Common Froghopper](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Blutzikade_Cercopis_vulnerata.jpg&width=800) Photo: Richard Bartz , Munich aka Makro Freak, CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blutzikade_Cercopis_vulnerata.jpg) ## Appearance The Common Froghopper is a small, stocky insect, typically dark brown or black with two striking bright red or orange chevron-shaped markings on its back. It has a broad head and relatively large eyes, which make it visually distinct from many other small plant-dwelling insects. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hemiptera - **Family:** Cercopidae - **Genus:** Cercopis ## Interesting facts - Baby froghoppers, called nymphs, live inside their protective spit bubbles for weeks. - Despite their name, they are insects related to cicadas, not amphibians like frogs! - Froghoppers can drink 200 times their body weight in plant sap every day! - Their incredible jump produces a force 400 times stronger than gravity! ## Special abilities - **Super Leaper:** Common Froghoppers can jump over 100 times their own body height using powerful hind legs that helps them escape predators quickly. - **Bubble Shield Creator:** Common Froghopper nymphs produce frothy 'cuckoo spit' because it hides and protects them from predators and dehydration. - **Plant Sap Sucker:** Common Froghoppers have specialized straw-like mouthparts that help them drink nourishing sap from plants. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 5-7 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-60 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These tiny insects drink plant sap like a juice box, using straw-like mouthparts! - **Primary Foods:** Plant sap, Nettle sap, Grass sap, Herbaceous plant sap - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [House Sparrow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-sparrow) (*Passer domesticus*) — A common bird predator. - **Eaten by:** [European Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-robin) (*Erithacus rubecula*) — Robins will feed on adult froghoppers. - **Eaten by:** Wasp Spider (*Argiope bruennichi*) — Froghoppers can be caught in their webs. - **Depends on:** Stinging Nettle (*Urtica dioica*) — A favored host plant for feeding and spittle production. ## Traits - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Froghoppers are harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Common Froghopper? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How big is Common Froghopper? 5-7 mm ### How long does Common Froghopper live? 30-60 days ### What does Common Froghopper eat? These tiny insects drink plant sap like a juice box, using straw-like mouthparts! ### Where is Common Froghopper usually found? Grasslands ### How does Common Froghopper hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Common Froghopper have? 6 ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Common Froghopper: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-froghopper)