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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Rogue Valley pair hope supporters will breathe life into 'Don't Die' ... Mail Tribune 100: Oct. 19, 1915 ... RCC lands $14.6 million job-training grant for low-income students ... Rogue Valley pair hope supporters will breathe life into 'Don't Die' ... Mail Tribune 100: Oct. 19, 1915 ... RCC lands $14.6 million job-training grant for low-income students ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Spittlebugs likely lurking on lavender Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted May. 30, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Jun 1, 2015 at 3:46 PM Posted May. 30, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Jun 1, 2015 at 3:46 PM » Social News I was out in my garden just before Memorial Day and discovered my lavender plants were inundated by a rash of gunky, saliva-looking, white stuff. I'm really not looking forward to what kind of creature will emerge. Can you tell me what I'm up against? — Heath A., Medford Well, Heath, at least you aren't telling us your trees are full of web worms, which plagued the Rogue Valley a few times in recent years. Spittlebugs can be grouped into garden nuisances such as aphids and froghoppers that are more bothersome than destructive. "Web worms are much worse," said Rick Hilton, an entomologist with the Oregon State University Extension Service. "Spittlebugs are real common this time of year. We're seeing it more on lavender this year, and the population is probably higher than normal." What you're probably seeing in your garden is the meadow spittlebug, a common variety that cozies up with 400 or so plants, he said. "It's aptly named," Hilton said. "It's generally considered an aesthetic pest, but if you get enough of them, it can stress plants." Adults don't make it to the fall, but drop egg masses that await the spring. They extract plant juices, sucking in their nourishment through a stylet. The processed ooze is exudated, leaving a bubbly secretion. The bubbles camouflage the spittlebug's eggs from predators such as birds, snakes and insects. Nymphs create the bubbles after hatching as they determine whether to hang tight or migrate to another plant. The bugs go through several stages of molt before emerging from the froth as a winged adult. In less than two months, the spittlebug will have completed its life cycle. Although it's not guaranteed, a strong jet of water from your garden hose can dislodge the pests. "There's only one generation per year," Hilton said. "Once they're done, you won't notice them at all." Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted May. 30, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Jun 1, 2015 at 3:46 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501