Sphodroscarta is a unique group of tropical spittlebugs (family: Aphrophoridae) found in the rainforests of Central and South America. While most of their relatives are plain brown and blend into the background, some female Sphodroscarta wear bold, vibrant colors. In a clever survival trick, they copy the eye-catching patterns of foul-tasting bug species to fool hungry predators into leaving them alone! These insects rely heavily on tropical trees like wild figs for food. As babies, the young nymphs create a signature line of defense: they whip up a foamy blanket of bubbles—often called “cuckoo spit”—from their own body fluids. This frothy home keeps them moist in the jungle heat and hides them from enemies while they drink plant juices. I crossed paths with this beautiful specimen while exploring a lovely city park in Puyo, a charming gateway town nestled right on the edge of the Ecuadorian Amazon.