Cuckoo Spit..

Nothing to do with birds.....
This is the secretion of the young Froghopper,commonly called Cuckoo Spit.
The nymph protects itself within this spit like substance.The Froghopper is known to jump(hop)70 cm's,this in comparison with bodyweight is a championship leap .

 

It`s Everywhere.Lavender, Crocosmia, Honeysuckle..What does actually happen if you don`t remove it?
Nice pic,BTW roders.

 

The adults lay their eggs on [or rather in] host plants and can spread virus diseases this way. This article tells you more than you probably wanted to know about cuckoo spit:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A812828

Best to wash it off with spray or hose. There's plenty in the hedgerows to perpetuate the species!

 

Well, I for one have learnt loads today from you lot. Good job I'm at work or I wouldn't have the time to read all this. Keep 'em coming folks!