Alder Spittlebug vs Common Milkwort

Aphrophora alni compared with Polygala vulgaris

Key Differences

• Alder Spittlebug is Least Concern while Common Milkwort is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Alder Spittlebug	Common Milkwort
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Plantae (Plants)
Phylum	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)
Class	Insecta (Insects)	Magnoliopsida (Dicots)
Order	Hemiptera (Hemiptera)	Fabales (Legumes & Allies)
Family	Aphrophoridae	Polygalaceae
Genus	Aphrophora	Polygala
Species	Aphrophora alni	Polygala vulgaris

Conservation Status

Alder Spittlebug

LC — Least Concern

Common Milkwort

VU — Vulnerable

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Alder Spittlebug	Common Milkwort
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Alder Spittlebug

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found across Europe (5 countries) and North America (United States).

Common Milkwort

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial habitats from tropical forests to temperate regions.

Range

Widely distributed across Europe (6 countries), North America (Canada, United States), and Oceania and the Pacific (Australia). Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Alder Spittlebug

The Alder Spittlebug (Aphrophora alni) is a species in the genus Aphrophora. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Common Milkwort

Common Milkwort (<em>Polygala vulgaris</em>) is a small flowering plant in the genus <em>Polygala</em>, family Polygalaceae. It is distributed across Europe, North America, and Oceania, with confirmed presence in countries including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, and Finland. Typically found in diverse terrestrial habitats ranging from tropical forests to temperate grasslands, this species favors calcareous grasslands, heathlands, and other open, well-drained habitats. Common Milkwort produces small flowers in shades of blue, pink, or white, and is associated with traditional grassland communities. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, the species faces significant conservation challenges across its range, likely driven by habitat loss through agricultural intensification and the decline of traditionally managed grasslands. Specific biological measurements such as lifespan, length, and weight are not documented in available records. The genus name <em>Polygala</em> derives from Greek meaning "much milk," reflecting a historical belief that the plant could increase milk production in livestock.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 5 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇺🇸 United States