About TLSB

TLSB nymphs are small, wingless, have red eyes, a brownish head, and a yellow or cream-colored abdomen with two small pink lines on the sides.

The nymphs develop through five instars before morphing into an adult and emerging from the spittle mass.

Upon hatching, immature nymphs latch on to a plant and begin feeding. The nymph excretes a frothy white substance known as a spittle mass. The spittle masses protect them from predators and from drying out. The spittle masses of the TLSB are almost always found at the ground level.

Other spittlebugs are also found in Hawaii, but their spittle masses are usually found up higher and on plants other than grasses. This identification guide can help differentiate between spittle bugs found in Hawaii.

TLSB adults are 3/8 inch long, have red eyes, reddish-black legs, a red abdomen, and black wings with two orange stripes across the back.

Adults are often seen hopping around the pasture.

Both TLSB adults and nymphs damage grass by feeding on plant juices through their needle-like mouthparts. The TLSB saliva contains amylase, an enzyme that breaks down complex carbohydrates into simple sugars which interferes with photosynthesis and carbohydrate translocation. TLSB damage decreases nutritional value, palatability, productivity, and can eventually kill the grasses.

TLSB adult feeding causes more damage than nymph feeding. Damage from adult feeding may be apparent within 24 hours. The leaf blade dies in 1-3 days after feeding and the tiller dies in 3-4 days after feeding. Damage appears as yellow streaks or tips, followed by browning and curling.

Heavy infestations of TLSB will create patches of dead grass. Dead areas are vulnerable to invasion by weeds.

In Hawaii the beginning and end of the TLSB season is highly variable. Generally, TLSB thrives in warm, humid conditions. The TLSB season has been observed to begin between April and May with populations increasing to peak during summer. In Kona, this corresponds with the wet season. The seasons winds down as temperatures get cooler and conditions get drier (typically in October in Kona) when the pest enters diapause. Diapause is a season of TLSB dormancy, where the eggs lie dormant and few nymphs or adults are found.