Larvae produce foam: meadow spittlebug

1 of 1 Spittlebugs / Dave Campbel.. / License

The larvae of meadow spittlebugs produce their protective foam casings by exhaling air into a viscid fluid.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Make >
	Physically assemble >
	Structure

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Foam packaging

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"Frog-hopper larvae (Philaenus) produce foam by exhaling air into a drop of viscid fluid, which is an excretion from the anus of inverted insect that flows around its body (the air comes from openings situated in pairs in each segment)…The larva of a spittle bug (Philaenus spumarius) does not need to enlarge its larval shelter because it continuously foams the excess of plant sap it excretes around itself. The foam protects the larva from predators and parasitoids as well as from ultraviolet radiation." (Pallasmaa 1995:22, 24, 93)

About the inspiring organism

Philaenus
Philaenus

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Foam packaging.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Manufacturing, packaging

References

Pallasmaa, J. 1995. Animal architecture. Helsinki: Museum of Finnish Architecture. 126 p.

Larvae produce foam: meadow spittlebug

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