Toad spit refers to the foamy secretion, also known as frog spit or Cuckoo spit, produced by certain insects, notably froghoppers or spittlebugs of the family Aphrophoridae or Cercopidae. This substance is commonly found on plants, particularly grasses and other vegetation, and appears as a white or yellowish foam-like substance resembling spit, hence the name.
The formation of toad spit occurs when the nymph or young insect feeds on the plant's sap. As it ingests the sap, the insect simultaneously excretes liquid waste, which mixes with a substance produced by special glands near its anus. This mixture is then whipped into a sticky froth by the rapid movement of the insect's abdomen. The foam acts as a shelter, protecting the nymph from predators, extreme temperatures, and desiccation, while also providing ample moisture and nutrients.
Despite the name, toad spit does not involve actual saliva from toads or any amphibians. This term is purely metaphorical, based on the resemblance of the foamy substance to the frothy deposits sometimes found around the mouths of certain toad species.
While toad spit is harmless to humans and most plants, its presence on cultivated crops can sometimes be deemed a nuisance. In such cases, control measures may be taken to reduce the populations of the spittlebug nymphs or to physically remove the foamy secretions from the plants using gentle sprays of water or by wiping them off.
