Biosecurity threat, not present in Australia
Callitettix versicolor (Fabricius)
Sugarcane spittlebug
Caution
Many of the insects depicted on these pages are outwardly similar and you should not use photographs as the sole means of identification. These pages form part of a scientific key which will assist a trained entomologist to identify the species accurately.
Callitettix versicolor (Fabricius, 1794)
Common Name: Sugarcane spittle bug, Rice spittle bug, Black froghopper
Family: Cercopidae
Distribution: Malaysia, Vietnam, India, China, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia, Laos and Thailand.
Economic Status: Callitettix versicolor is a pest of sugarcane, maize and rice. The bug damages the leaves and stems through feeding. It is highly likely that C. versicolor would attack other Poaceae if it entered Australia. Not a known vector of plant viruses.
Notes: Callitettix is represented by nine species globally but none is present in Australia. Callitettix versicolor has been included in the Australian 2016 biosecurity plan for sugarcane but the potential for it to enter, establish and spread has not been assessed, nor has the economic impact to the industry. The Australian sugarcane spittlebug, Euryaulax carnifex, is distinctly different in colouration. It is unlikely that Callitettix versicolor would be confused for any other Cercopidae due to its characteristic colouration.
Image: Paul Davis [used with permission]