SOIL bug problem

[wolfalias]

Growing outside in the ground, in a hot and humid area. Highs currently in the low to mid 90's. I'm pretty sure the bug in the picture is a mealy bug. My main question is, what causes the blob on the stem that looks like someone spit on the stem, up and to the left of the bug? The plant is White Widow Fem, and seems to be doing ok, for now. Transplanted outside on May 8th, 2 feet tall now. Planning on getting some SM-90, and spraying the plant with it, any help would be appreciated.

 

[Californiakid]

I've seen that before but have no idea what it is. I saw it in Washington , I've never seen it before a couple weeks ago. Good luck

 

[D.A.A.S.69]

Looks like a Spittlebug, problems to me, but I'm not positive, But what your doing ought to help.

 

[Californiakid]

Huh...I looked up spittlebug. That's exactly what I saw.
Thanks D.A.A.S.69. Probably too hot and dry here in California .

 

[D.A.A.S.69]

Californiakid, when I was a young kid, I was told that was snake spit, and I remember seeing it everywhere, it seemed, and I kept thinking, that there must be a hellava lot of snakes around here, lol.
Other people told me it was frog spit, haha.
I'm not positive it's from a Spittlebug, though, but I think it is, but mealy bugs, and a bunch of other bugs, make stuff that looks like that too. But Neem oil will get rid of them.