To put into perspective just how impressive the froghopper’s hop is, it is equivalent to a human jumping around 200 meters! The froghopper takes off with such velocity that exerts a force that is 400 times its own body weight (G-Force 400). In comparison, an astronaut rocketing into orbit experiences a G-force of around five. Such amazing force is possible due to the common froghopper's powerful hind legs. The common froghopper developed this jump as a defence mechanism to evade predators.

The tiny adult common froghopper is variable in pattern from black and white to many shades of brown; the nymph (name for young invertebrates) is green and lives in 'cuckoo-spit' - a frothy mass found on grass and plant stems. This frothy mass has given the froghopper the other name of ‘spittlebug’ and can be seen all over plant stems in spring and summer and is far more commonly seen than the common froghopper.

Adult common froghoppers mate back-to-back, and the subsequent nymphs go through a number of stages before reaching adulthood. After emerging from the egg, the baby froghopper produces and stays for a couple of weeks inside its bubble of cuckoo spit, made by extruding plant sap out of its anus and frothing it. Once it has grown to full size, its back splits open and it emerges from this casing in adult form with wings and wing cases that protect it from predators.  

Both adults and nymphs feed on plant sap using specialised, sucking mouthparts and pose no threat to the plant’s health. There are 10 species of froghoppers in the UK and most are very difficult to tell apart. Froghoppers are an important part of the ecosystem and provide a good food source for swifts and other birds (if they can catch them).

If the common froghopper wins gold for the high jump, then the European otter might win one for artistic swimming and the brown hare boxing. To find more animals that might compete in the animal kingdom Olympics, visit our species finder.