what animal/insect leaves a white foam on my lawn in places?

[Modat22]

I've wondered about this since I was a kid. My grandad always told me snakes did that and I never questioned him. Well while walking around my yard I see 50 or more foamy spots and it got me wondering again.

[Radar67]

I was told the same thing as a kid, and have wondered about it since.

Stew

[Raider Bill]

maybe slugs or snails?

[caz]

Slugs

[Tom]

There are insects that create a foamy looking stuff on grass, leaves, etc. where they lay eggs or hide.   Look up Spittlebug.

[treebucker]

Snakes?  :D Your grandads ougth to be ashamed. smiley_ignore

Tom's right.

Now if someone could just tell me what those tiny little green bugs were that landed on my knuckle and elbow while I was mowing hay 3 years back.  They each bit a hole in me that was nearly as big as they were.  Or how about that beetle in the yard below the night light that was 6 times bigger than a tumble bug.

BTW - I don't know if you'll find this while looking into them but spittle bugs, for their size, can supposedly out jump any other creature. I don't know how they could jump so high being covered in spit...but it must be true because I saw it on TV.  ???  :D

[Faron]

Mad dog?   ;)

[Slabs]

Go out fairly early some morning and pick off one of the foam balls and pry it open and I think the little critter will be inside.  Been a while since I did it but curiosity yields an amazing bank of knowledge.

Let us know what you find,  I'll try to do the same if I fine any again.

[Onthesauk]

We've got spittle bug out here, they particularly like the straberries.  You can hose them off or mix a little soap and water and spray the foam, breaks it down and exposes the bug.

[Tom]

Treebucker,
It's just a wild guess, but the beetle you are describing may not be  beetle. If it's what i'm thinking you saw, it's a "Giant Waterbug" or Hemiptera Belostomatidae.   The come out in the summers mostly at night and are attracted to road lamps and parking lot lights.   They can bite too, but usually don't .  They make a fine mount to show off to kids and for kids to take to school.  We have quite a few in the south.  I don't know for sure how far North they live. 

[treebucker]

If it's what i'm thinking you saw, it's a "Giant Waterbug" or Hemiptera Belostomatidae. 

I looked up Hemiptera Belostomatidae - nope. This one had a speckled brown abdomen on top fading to a dull pea green near the bottom. It scared me so I didn't pick it up to get a better look. I guessed it was either and exotic or very rare.

[Modat22]

Well I'll be, they are spittle bugs.


Thanks guys