If you see this strange 'spittle' or 'froth' on your plants 'don't touch it' - gardeners are warned

 

People are being urged not to touch a peculiar froth found on plants this June - and to report any sightings as it could spread disease.

With the warm weather bringing our gardens to life, many of us are hoping to see our green spaces bustling with everything from ants to wasps and beetles. It's at this time of year that you might spot this strange 'spittle', sometimes referred to as cuckoo's spit, on your garden plants. However, gardeners are being strongly advised NOT to interfere with the bubbles or spittle on plants and to report any sightings immediately.

You may have noticed it clumped on plant stems or in patches of grass and wondered what it is. It appears like a ball of froth, or foam, somewhat like someone has spat on your plants, according to the Express.

So, what exactly is that ball of spit on your plants and is it harmful?, reports Yorkshire Live. The spittle, as it's known, is produced by an insect called a spittlebug, aptly named because it creates the odd frothy substance which then gets left behind on plants and in long grass. The spittlebug envelops itself in a ball of foam for protection while it feeds on the sap from a plant for nutrition. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter

The offspring of the red and black creature, also known as froghoppers, then hatch on a plant which has the leftover ball of foam. The insect is usually active from the end of May to the end of June, so it's peak season for sightings right now. Though the insects feed on the plants, they don't remove enough nutrition to harm it and they don't hurt humans, so you don't need to do anything or get rid of the spittle.

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