Vinton Thompson

Vinton Thompson wears a button-down shirt and a light jacket, and stands outdoors with a tree in the background and smiles for a portrait.
Email:
[email protected]
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Research Interests

I study the ecology and evolution of spittlebugs, insects of the superfamily Cercopoidea (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha). My research and fieldwork have centered on spittlebug host plant relationships (including the important roles of microbial symbionts), spittlebug polymorphism (multiple color forms), and spittlebug warning coloration (striking color patterns that deflect predators).

In recent years, I have documented a marked association between spittlebugs and ectomycorrhizal host plants, likely a consequence of xylem feeding. I also spurred a study demonstrating that the meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius, has more documented host plants than any other insect.

With American Museum of Natural History colleagues, I am investigating a vineyard spittlebug suspected of spreading the bacterial disease Xylella fastidiosa in California. In addition, I am working with colleagues at other institutions to describe and document spittlebug diversity in Costa Rica, Mexico, the Philippines and Vietnam. In conjunction with this work, I continue to describe spittlebug diversity in the United States. I welcome correspondence from anyone interested in spittlebug biology.

Major New Publication on Spittlebug Biology

Recently, I completed a book on the biology and agricultural importance of spittlebugs for Cornell University Press. Spittlebugs: Biology Ecology and Economic Impact will be formally published May 15, 2026. This is the first book of its kind and is intended for entomologists, agronomists and anyone interested in a good read on a fascinating group of insects.

Get more information about Spittlebugs: Biology Ecology and Economic Impact.

Resources

Spittlebug Songs (You didn’t know there were any!)

Publications

Recent scientific publications (2014-2026)

Thompson, V. (2026). Spittlebugs: Biology, Ecology, and Economic Impact. Cornell University Press. Ithaca, New York.  360 pp.

Thompson, V. (2026). Estimation of selection intensity against dark color forms of the spittlebug Philaenus spumarius (L.) in a warming climate. Insects, 17(3), 263. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17030263

Haddad, N., I. Mrabti, A. Douaik, V. Thompson, M. Afechtal, J. C. Streito, R. Benkirane and M. C. Smaili (2024). Philaenus tesselatus (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae), the main potential vector of Xylella fastidiosa in Morocco: seasonal abundance, phenology and host-plant colonization by nymphs. Annales de La Société Entomologique de France (N.S.), 60(5):461–476. https://doi.org/10.1080/00379271.2024.2364963

Avosani, S., R. Nieri, V. Mazzoni, G. Anfora, Z. Hamouche, C. Zippari, M. L. Vitale, V. Verrastro, E. Tarasco, I. D’Isita, S. Germinara, T. F. Döring, G. Belusic, A. Fereres, V. Thompson and D. Cornara (2024). Intruding into a conversation: How behavioral manipulation could support management of Xylella fastidiosa and its insect vectors. Journal of Pest Science 97(1):17-33.

Thompson, V., C. Harkin and A. J. A. Stewart (2023). The most polyphagous insect herbivore? Host plant associations of the Meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius (L.). PLoS ONE 18(10): e0291734. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0291734

Thompson, V. (2023). New San Francisco Bay Area spittlebug of the genus Clastoptera Germar, 1839 (Hemiptera: Cercopoidea: Clastopteridae) makes unique mineral-crusted spittles. Pan-Pacific Entomologist 99(2):111–127.

Thompson, V. (2023). Looking for patterns in a biosphere dominated by symbioses – bugs, plants, and the microorganisms that mediate their interactions. International Mycorrhiza Society Newsletter 4(1):6-9. https://southmycorrhizas.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/imsnewsletter_vol4_issue1_mar2023.pdf

Thompson, V. and R. M. Moscovitch (2022). Decline of melanic color forms in northern Minnesota populations of Philaenus spumarius (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae). Entomologica Americana 128(1-4):1-10.

Thompson, V. (2022). Insect-plant-fungus interactions in mycorrhizal associations, with a focus on spittlebugs and ectomycorrhizal host plants. Ecological Entomology, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1111/een.13192

Armendáriz-Toledano, F., M. A. López-Posadas, V. Thompson, J. Romero-Nápoles , Y. Utrera-Vélez , J. P. López-Córdova and U. Castro-Valderrama. (2022). Overview of spittlebugs of the family Cercopidae (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha) from Mexico, with keys to genera and species.  Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad 93 e934030 https://doi.org/10.22201/ib.20078706e.2022.93.4030

Thompson, V. (2021). A new spittlebug of the genus Aphrophora Germar, 1821 (Hemiptera: Cercopoidea: Aphrophoridae) abundant on invasive iceplant in coastal California. Pan-Pacific Entomologist, 97(3):105–128.

Wheeler, T.B., V. Thompson, W.R. Conner and B.S. Cooper (2021). Wolbachia in the spittlebug Prosapia ignipectus: Variable infection frequencies, but no apparent effect on host reproductive isolation. Ecology and Evolution, 00, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.7782

Seabra, S.G., A.S.B. Rodrigues, S.E. Silva; A.C. Neto, F. Pina-Martins; E. Marabuto, V. Thompson, M.R. Wilson, S. Yurtsever, A. Halkka, M.T. Rebelo, P.A.V. Borges, J.A. Quartau, C.D. Jiggins and O.S. Paulo. (2021). Population structure, adaptation and divergence of the meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera, Aphrophoridae), revealed by genomic and morphological data. PeerJ 9:e11425. http://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11425

 

Thompson, V., S.E. Halbert and M. Rothschild. 2020. A new species of the spittlebug genus Clastoptera Germar (Hemiptera: Cercopoidea: Clastopteridae) on Florida oaks. Insecta Mundi 0796:1–16. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2292&context=insectamundi

Paladini, A., V. Thompson, A.J. Bell & J.R. Cryan. 2020. A remarkable new species of spittlebug and a second living New World genus in the Clastopteridae (Hemiptera: Cercopoidea) Zootaxa 4852 (3):361–371. file:///C:/Users/vinto/Downloads/_64506-Article%20Text-204398-217061-10-20200916.pdf

Rodríguez, J., V. Thompson, M. Rubido-Bará, A. Cordero-Rivera, and L. González 2019. Herbivore accumulation on invasive alien plants increases the distribution range of generalist herbivorous insects and supports proliferation of non-native insect pests.  Biological Invasions, 17 pages, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-019-01913-1

Thompson, V. and G.S. Carvalho. 2016. Abrupt geographical transition between aposematic color forms in the spittlebug Prosapia ignipectus (Fitch) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae).  Psyche Vol. 2016, Article ID 3623092, 10 pages, http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/3623092

Thompson, V. 2015.  “Meadow Spittlebug and Lepyronia coleoptrata”.  In D.A. Samac, L.H. Rhodes and W.O. Lamp (Eds.), pp. 94-95, Compendium of Alfalfa Diseases and Pests, Third Edition, American Phytopathological Society Press, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Rodrigues A.S. B., S.E. Silva, E. Marabuto, D.N. Silva1, M.R. Wilson, V. Thompson, S. Yurtsever, A. Halkka, P.A.V. Borges, J.A. Quartau, O.S. Paulo and S.G. Seabra.  2014.  New mitochondrial and nuclear evidences support recent demographic expansion and an atypical phylogeographic pattern in the spittlebug Philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera, Aphrophoridae).  PLoS ONE 9(6): e98375. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0098375  http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0098375

Note: Additional publications can be found at ResearchGate

Teaching Experience

  • Professor of Biology, Kean University, Union, New Jersey, 2004-2008                          
  • Professor of Biology Emeritus, Roosevelt University, Chicago, Illinois, 2005-present          
  • Professor of Biology, Roosevelt University, Chicago, Illinois, 1995-2004                              
  • Associate Professor of Biology, Roosevelt University, Chicago, Illinois, 1985‑1988, 1990-1994                  
  • Assistant Professor of Biology, Roosevelt University, Chicago, Illinois, 1980-1985

Academic Appointments

  • Research Associate, Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, 2008-present
  • Research Associate, Division of Insects, Field Museum, Chicago, Illinois, 1998-2007