JungleDragon is a nature and wildlife community for photographers, travellers and anyone who loves nature. We're genuine, free, ad-free and beautiful.

Join

Tube Spittlebug (Chaetophyes compacta) A small female tube spittlebug resting on the tube created perhaps by its nymphs. The tube looked like a concrete horn with dried-up spittle along the tree branch at the opening of the tube. The female spittlebug has a green head and thorax with dark tinted wings.<br />
The nymphs of these bugs live in the calcareous tubes that they build on their food plant. They stay immersed in secretions thus staying hidden from predators and safe from dehydration. This tree showed several branches with these tubes, some dripping with liquid. There were also several female spittlebugs. I did not observe any males that are usually fully dark. <br />
Spotted on a young eucalyptus tree in a botanical garden ( Cranbourne Gardens) Australia,Chaetophyes compacta,Geotagged,Spring Click/tap to enlarge

Tube Spittlebug (Chaetophyes compacta)

A small female tube spittlebug resting on the tube created perhaps by its nymphs. The tube looked like a concrete horn with dried-up spittle along the tree branch at the opening of the tube. The female spittlebug has a green head and thorax with dark tinted wings.
The nymphs of these bugs live in the calcareous tubes that they build on their food plant. They stay immersed in secretions thus staying hidden from predators and safe from dehydration. This tree showed several branches with these tubes, some dripping with liquid. There were also several female spittlebugs. I did not observe any males that are usually fully dark.
Spotted on a young eucalyptus tree in a botanical garden ( Cranbourne Gardens)

Sign in or Join in order to comment.

Chaetophyes compacta is an Australian species of tube spittlebug. It was described by Walker in 1851.

Similar species: True Bugs
Species identified by Leuba Ridgway
View Leuba Ridgway's profile

By Leuba Ridgway

All rights reserved
Uploaded Dec 13, 2016. Captured Nov 30, 2016 14:16 in Stringybark Dr, Junction Village VIC 3977, Australia.
  • SZ-10
  • f/3.7
  • 10/1000s
  • ISO100
  • 10.99mm