Pecan spittle bug

Adult spittlebugs are small, pale brown and resemble leafhoppers.  The immature stages or nymphs are rarely seen because they are usually covered with foamy white froth-like material.  The nymphs secrete these spittle masses to maintain a high humidity environment required for development and possibly for protection from natural enemies.
Damage: Information about the actual damage caused by spittlebugs is sparse.  They will suck juices from the parts of the plant they attack. Heavy populations can kill terminal growth and reportedly cause small nuts to shed from the trees. If the spittle masses become large enough to cover the stigma of the nuts, pollinations may be affected.