Aphrophoridae

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A family of insects commonly known as froghoppers, characterized by their ability to leap great distances and produce a frothy protective substance during their nymph stage
2. An insect group recognized for members that create foam nests on plants as a means of protection, with adults noted for exceptional jumping skills
3. A taxonomic classification encompassing small, jumping insects that secrete a bubbly foam shelter in their immature stage and are often found on various vegetation

Etymology: The foam in this name is the insects' own work. Nymphs of these spittlebugs, also called froghoppers, surround themselves with a mass of froth made from plant sap mixed with air, which shields them from predators and drying out. The family takes its name from the genus Aphrophora, a Greek compound of "aphros," meaning foam, and "phoros," meaning bearing or carrying. Together they mean "foam-bearers." The ending "-idae" is a zoological marker for a family, added to a genus name. Taxonomists form family names this way across the animal kingdom, so the family name is built directly from the genus name, which is in turn built from those two Greek parts.