It is less common on spruce, balsam, larch, hemlock, and Douglas fir. The easily-seen spittlebug larva, covered with its mass of spittle, may produce a sparkle effect and even sooty mold when abundant. Scout now because pine spittlebug nymphs are easier to detect and control. Both nymph and adult stage spittlebugs suck host sap. Nymphs, hiding beneath spittle, are mostly black with a white tip to the abdomen.
Adults are tan with whitish wing bands.
They are extremely active and hard to capture. Their feeding causes reddish flecks and scars and results in branch flagging starting at tips, especially on lower branches. Their feeding may provide entry for Diplodia tip blight fungus which also will create flagging damage. Because the adults are so mobile, such damage symptoms may be difficult to correctly diagnose. Control nymphs by hand picking on small hosts or use insecticidal soap.