Cercopidae

/sɜːrˈkɑpɪdiː/ noun

Definition

The family of insects that includes froghoppers and spittlebugs, small jumping insects that produce protective foam on plants.

Etymology

From Greek 'kerkos' (tail) + 'pous' (foot) + '-idae' (family suffix), formally naming this insect family based on their distinctive body structure.

Kelly Says

If you've ever seen white foam on plants that looks like insect spit, that's a cercopidae larva's genius defense system—it's fooled predators for millions of years.

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