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| sciName | description | abundance | habitat | food | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shellenius ballii | A distinctly colored species with characteristic red and dark markings. The head, which is proportionately longer than in other similar Derbids, has a broad red band that extends across the entire length. This band narrows on the sides of the thorax, continuing onto the wings where it considerably widens up and darkens toward the wing tips; the wing venation in this widened band is the same bright red color as the beginning of the band while the wing cells in between the veins are a dark blackish-brown color, sometimes appearing spotted. The rest of the wings, thorax and head are a pale yellow color. For more images of this species, see: BG. | Rare, a few records from both the mountains and Piedmont. | Acer (maple), Carpinus caroliniana (American hornbeam), Sabal palmetto, Fraxinus (ash) (UDEL) | |||||||||
| Litophallus schellenbergii | A pale orange-brown species with an orange face and white vertex. The base of the wings are a bronzy-orange, the the anterior half of the wings a darker brown with bold red wing venation. The commissure of the wings is white, forming a continuous white band that extends onto the middle of the pronotum to the white vertex. The legs are pale. For a few more images of this species, see: BG. | Rare, a few recent records from the mountains and Piedmont. | Shrubby areas, forest edge | Acer, American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), Sabal palmetto, Fraxinus (UDEL); has also been found [at least resting] on Common Milkweed (Ascleipius syriaca). | ||||||||
| Spissistilus festinus Three-cornered Alfalfa Hopper | A green species with a white or red stripe along the front edges of the pronotum. This species has a curved pronotum, lacking a crest or any horns. The front of the pronotum appears 'fat', and there may be faint pale speckling on the pronotum. The wings are hyaline and the legs are green, helping differentiate this from S. lutea. Adults are 6-7 mm long (FSCA). | Common, found throughout the state. Seasonal distribution: 19 February-19 December (CTNC) | Found in a variety of habitats | Arachis hypogaea, Aster ericoides, Glycine max, Helianthus sp., Lespedeza sp., Medicago sativa, Phaseolus vulgaris, Sarracenia flava, Solidago sp. (CTNC) | ||||||||
| Liburniella ornata Ornate Planthopper | Highly distinctive, there is no other species that looks like this. The wings have an ornate color pattern of black, white/gray, and orange, and the body itself is colored like the wings. The top of the head and thorax are orange with a bold white line down the middle, extending onto the frons (face) which is dark with light carinae (ridges). The non-flattened antennae are pale with a dark ring at the juncture of the two antennal segments. Nymphs are pale with two bold black bands down the sides; there are white spots speckled on the part of the dark band on the frons. | Extremely common across the state. | Grassy and brushy habitat, as well as near forests | Reported from the sedge Rhynchospora globularis, but probably polyphagous on sedges and maybe grasses (UDEL) | ||||||||
| Stenocranus arundineus | A pale, tan species that lacks any dark markings on the wings. The general color is buffy or fulvous, and the light whitish median dorsal line is bordered on the pronotum and vertex with orange. Adults are 6.0-8.0 mm long. (Beamer, 1946) | Recorded from a few counties in the mountains and Piedmont; likely more abundant in the right habitat. | Where native bamboo occurs. | Native bamboo: Arundinaria sp. (Poaceae: Bambusoideae: Bambuseae) (UDEL) | ||||||||
| Stenocranus vittatus | This species very closely resembles S. lautus and in some instances there may not be a way to differentiate between the two. Charles Bartlett notes that he is "not sure that the two can be consistently separated without tails, but there is some coloration difference" (pers. comment). Hamilton (2006) notes that in S. vittatus, the dorsomedial length of the hind tibia is greater than that of the hind tarsus, whereas in S. lautus the lengths are essentially the same. Furthermore, males of S. vittatus are 4.5 mm or longer while females are 5.0 mm or longer; adults of S. lautus are listed at being 5-6 mm long. See vittatus and lautus for comparisons of pinned specimens. See here and here for two probable vittatus individuals that show the hind tibia longer than the hind tarsus. As in S. lautus, the head is rounded and the face is dark with a pale midline. (UDEL) | Recorded from several counties in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, likely under collected and more abundant in the right habitat, but probably not a common species. | Has been found near mixed hardwood forest. | |||||||||
| Stenocranus similis | A distinctive species that is sexually dimorphic. Males have fairly dark wings, with two main dark patches. Females only have one main dark patch on the wing, near the tips, and can sometimes lack dark patches all together, just having several dark spots. There is however a key characteristic shared among both sexes: the lack of a bold, contrasting white midline. Unlike other members of this genus, there is no bold white line down the vertex, thorax, and inner margin of the wings. There are several thin pale lines on the thorax, the middle of which extends onto the vertex; however, the two black marks on the tip of the head are bordered by the tan color of the head on both sides, rather than encapsulating a bold white line. This field mark can be clearly seen here. This species ranges in size from 4.5-6.0 mm (Beamer). For images of pinned male and female specimens, see: UDEL. | Pretty uncommon, recorded primarily from the Coastal Plain, probably more abundant in the right habitat. | Where native bamboo occurs. | Native bamboo: Arundinaria gigantea tecta (as Arundinaria tecta (Poaceae: Bambusoideae: Bambuseae) (UDEL) | ||||||||
| sciName | description | abundance | habitat | food | ||||||||
| Stenocranus lautus | A brownish species with a white median dorsal line. The wing venation toward the tips is dark, varying in width and pattern among individuals (see pics above). This species very closely resembles S. vittatus and in some instances there may not be a way to differentiate between the two. Charles Bartlett notes that he is "not sure that the two can be consistently separated without tails, but there is some coloration difference" (pers. comment). Hamilton (2006) notes that in S. vittatus, the dorsomedial length of the hind tibia is greater than that of the hind tarsus, whereas in S. lautus the lengths are essentially the same. Furthermore, males of S. vittatus are 4.5 mm or longer while females are 5.0 mm or longer, while adults of S. lautus are reported at 5-6 mm in length. See vittatus and lautus for comparisons of pinned specimens. As in S. vittatus, the head is rounded and the face is dark with a pale midline. (UDEL, Beamer, 1946) | Somewhat common to uncommon, though typically recorded in low numbers. A majority of records come from the Piedmont and mountains. | Carex lurida, C. cumberlandensis, Cyperus esculentus, Cy. strigosus (Cyperaceae) (UDEL) | |||||||||
| Stenocranus dorsalis | Typically a pale species with minimal dark markings on the wings. There is a somewhat thin dark bar on the rear of the wings near the inner margin. There is a white midline beginning on the vertex, bordered by two black lines, and extending across the thorax down the inner margin of the wings. The male abdomen has dark/black markings on the venter of the genital segment, with the genital capsule brown to tan with dark markings. Some individuals can be very fulvous in color, lacking wing markings found on typical adults. These fulvous individuals represent what used to be referred to as S. pallidus but is now a synonym of S. dorsalis. In typical adults, the face is dark; in form "pallidus", the face is a reddish-brown. (UDEL) | Uncommon across the state, recorded from all three regions; likely more abundant in the right habitat. | Has been found in open grassy areas, sometimes near mixed hardwood forest. | Carex intumescens (Cyperaceae) (UDEL) | ||||||||
| Stenocranus acutus | A dark species with dark brown to black wings (black especially near the tips). There is a bold white midline stripe extending from the vertex, bordered with two small black lines, across the thorax and down the inner margin of the wings. The face is black with a pale midline, and the underside of the thorax and abdomen is dark; the head is noticeably and sharply pointed. Adults range in length between 4.0 and 5.0 mm, with males less than 4.5 mm long while females are less than 5.0 mm. (UDEL) | Several records in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, likely more abundant in the right habitat. | Has been found near mixed hardwood forest and edge habitat. | |||||||||
| Stobaera pallida | A tan or light brown species. The wings have a dark brown pattern that mostly covers parts of the middle and top of the wings; there are small black spots spaced out across the veins. In females, the dark markings of the forewings are absent or pale whereas in males they are bold and distinct. There are several key characteristics that help separate pallida from the other two species of Stobaera that may be found in North Carolina. In S. pallida, the lateral carinae (ridges) of the frons are distinctly bowed and the frons is tan, marked with creamy spots and no dark bands; the interocular portion of the frons is not darker than the rest of the frons. The legs are also not ringed with brown and are instead pale. Additionally, the vertex is noticeably wider than it is long: compare the vertex of pallida with that of tricarinata. Males of pallida are 3.2 - 4.0 mm long while females are 3.5 - 4.8 mm. (Kramer, 1973, UDEL) | Uncommon, recorded from several counties in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain; possibly more abundant in the right habitat. Primarily a coastal plain species. | Has been found in grassy areas and forest edge. | Baccharis halimifolia (eastern baccharis) (UDEL) | ||||||||
| Stobaera tricarinata | Kramer (1973) notes that "the forewing varies from nearly immaculate to strongly marked with fuscus like concinna or rarely nearly entirely fuscus. The interocular portion of the frons is tan in females to fuscus in males, followed by a pale and then blackish transverse band; the central portion of the frons is pale and unmarked in both sexes, the basal portion of the frons on each side of the central carina is almost always darkened with fuscus or black. The clypeus is either unmarked or lightly marked with fuscus. The otherwise pale legs are ringed with fuscus to black." Note that all of the Stobaera species are similar in appearance, but the face pattern is a key characteristic for distinguishing species. Also note that in tricarinata (and concinna), the vertex is about as wide as it is long, contrasting with the noticeably wider vertex of pallida. Males are 2.8 - 4.6 mm long while females are 2.9 - 4.8 mm. (Kramer, 1973, UDEL) | Uncommon to locally common, recorded across the state. | Probably near grassy areas | Ambrosia spp. (ragweed), Helianthus argophyllus (silverleaf sunflower) (UDEL) | ||||||||
| Syndelphax alexanderi | "Species of Syndelphax are usually yellow to straw-colored. Brachypters are very common and males often have contrasting dark tegmina (rarely females also)" (UDEL). In this species, the males have several of the abdominal segments brown, with the rest pale. The tip of the abdomen is also black/dark. The vertex (top of the head) has black lines, distinguishing this species from S. fulvidorsum. Additionally, the face of fulvidorsum is pale, unlike the brownish to black face of alexanderi. Females are pale and have a brown face. | Scattered records across the state, likely more abundant in the right habitat. | In grassy or brushy habitat. | Probably grasses | ||||||||
| Syndelphax fulvidorsum | "Species of Syndelphax are usually yellow to straw-colored. Brachypters are very common and males often have contrasting dark tegmina (rarely females also)" (UDEL). In this species, the males have a brown first abdominal segment, with the rest pale. The tip of the abdomen is also black. The vertex (top of the head) is completely pale, lacking the dark lines that are found on S. alexanderi. Additionally, the face of fulvidorsum is pale, unlike the brownish face of alexanderi. Females are pale. See here for a brachypterous female. | Several records from the Piedmont, probably more abundant in the right habitat. | Grassy areas | Probably grasses | ||||||||
| sciName | description | abundance | habitat | food | ||||||||
| Toya idonea | A brownish species with both macropterous (long-winged) or brachypterous (short-winged) forms possible. The face (both the frons and clypeus) is dark with pale/white ridges. The two antennal segments are pale with faint, dark margins apically on segment I and basally on segment II. The pronotum is pale, as are the legs. This species closely resembles M. propinqua and M. wetmorei. Both wetmorei and idonea have similarly colored faces, both being dark unlike propinqua. Furthermore, wetmorei tends to have a dark brown ring around the juncture of the two antennal segments while this ring is paler in idonea. Essentially, T. idonea has a darkened face like in wetmorei and pale antennal segments like in propinqua. Furthermore, T. idonea can have brachypterous adults while this has not been seen in M. wetmorei; brachypterous specimens with a dark face that may represent one of these similar species are very likely to be T. idonea. It is helpful to photograph the face of individuals that may represent one of these three species, but in some cases an ID may not be possible. For images of pinned specimens from these three closely related species, see: propinqua, wetmorei, and idonea. | Recorded from several counties in the mountains and Piedmont, probably more abundant in the right habitat. | Has been found in grassy areas. | Grasses | ||||||||
| Tumidagena propinqua | A very distinctive genus. Adult males are pale with black-tipped wings and an orange abdomen and legs. The tip of the abdomen is also black (the pygofer), and there is a white band above the black on the wings. Females are completely pale. Note the length of the head, which extends well past the eyes. The other species in this genus that has been recorded in North Carolina, T. terminalis, can best be distinguished visually by the length of the head. In propinqua, the head is slightly more than twice as long as the width at base; in terminalis, the head is longer, being almost three times as long as the width at the base. | Recorded from a couple counties in the Coastal Plain, likely more abundant along the coast in the right habitat. | Coastal salt marshes | Spartina cordgrasses | ||||||||
| Tumidagena terminalis | A very distinctive genus. Adult males are pale with black-tipped wings and an orange abdomen and legs. The tip of the abdomen is also black (the pygofer), and there is a white band above the black on the wings. Females are completely pale. Note the length of the head, which extends well past the eyes. The other species in this genus that has been recorded in North Carolina, T. propinqua, can best be distinguished visually by the length of the head. In propinqua, the head is slightly more than twice as long as the width at base; in terminalis, the head is longer, being almost three times as long as the width at the base. | Recorded from a single county in the Coastal Plain, likely found throughout the coast in the right habitat. | Coastal salt marshes | Spartina cordgrasses | ||||||||
| Yukonodelphax bifurca | Bartlett notes that Yukonodelphax is a pale taxa, sometimes with a few markings. Most individuals are brachypterous. For images of pinned specimens, see: UDEL. | Recorded from the state but unclear from where. | ||||||||||
| Spartidelphax penedetectus | A pale, whitish species with a robust body. The head, including the eyes, are slightly larger than the pronotum, and the vertex in dorsal view projects past the eyes. Macropters (long-winged) are darker than brachypters, with the abdomen and lateral portion of the mesonotum a brownish color. However, macropterous wings are clear (just like brachypterous wings) and extend past the length of the abdomen. Both Spartidelphax species are extremely similar, though S. penedetectus is slightly larger than detectus. The best field mark for differentiating the two species without dissection is the length of the vertex. In S. penedetectus, the vertex is nearly 1.5 (range around 1.34 to 1.5) times longer than it is wide; in S. detectus, the vertex is slightly shorter, being about 1.3 (range around 1.25 to 1.31) times longer than wide. Note the slight difference in the lengths with these two specimens. In penedetectus, brachypter males have an average body length of 2.33 mm while macropters have an average of 3.79 mm; female brachypters have an average length of 3.06 mm while macropters have an average of 4.07 mm. In detectus, brachypter males have an average body length of 2.28 mm while macropters have an average of 3.29 mm; female brachypters have an average length of 2.89 mm while macropters have an average of 3.61 mm. Looking at male genitalia, the aedeagus of penedetectus has ventral teeth or fine serrulations, while in detectus is has long rows of lateral teeth extending beyond the distal third of the aedeagus. Nymphs of this genus are whitish overall. For more information on Spartidelphax and differentiating to the two species, see: Bartlett 2014. | Recorded along the coast where it can be locally abundant. Likely found throughout our coastal habitats where suitable habitat exists. | Coastal marsh grass, spartina in particular | Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass) (UDEL) | ||||||||
| Spartidelphax detectus | A pale, whitish species with a robust body. The head, including the eyes, are slightly larger than the pronotum, and the vertex in dorsal view projects past the eyes. Macropters (long-winged) are darker than brachypters, with the abdomen and lateral portion of the mesonotum a brownish color. However, macropterous wings are clear (just like brachypterous wings) and extend past the length of the abdomen. Both Spartidelphax species are extremely similar, though S. detectus is slightly smaller than penedetectus. The best field mark for differentiating the two species without dissection is the length of the vertex. In S. penedetectus, the vertex is nearly 1.5 (range around 1.34 to 1.5) times longer than it is wide; in S. detectus, the vertex is slightly shorter, being about 1.3 (range around 1.25 to 1.31) times longer than wide. Note the slight difference in the lengths with these two specimens. In penedetectus, brachypter males have an average body length of 2.33 mm while macropters have an average of 3.79 mm; female brachypters have an average length of 3.06 mm while macropters have an average of 4.07 mm. In detectus, brachypter males have an average body length of 2.28 mm while macropters have an average of 3.29 mm; female brachypters have an average length of 2.89 mm while macropters have an average of 3.61 mm. Looking at male genitalia, the aedeagus of penedetectus has ventral teeth or fine serrulations, while in detectus is has long rows of lateral teeth extending beyond the distal third of the aedeagus. Nymphs of this genus are whitish overall. For more information on Spartidelphax and differentiating to the two species, see: Bartlett 2014. | Recorded along the coast where it can be locally abundant. Likely found throughout our coastal habitats where suitable habitat exists. | Coastal marsh grass, spartina in particular | Spartina patens (Poaceae, saltmeadow cordgrass), Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass). Spartidelphax detectus is likely a specialist on S. patens, with S. alterniflora “an inferior host plant for development” (UDEL). | ||||||||
| Sogatella molina | A pale species with and pale transverse medial band extending across the thorax and onto the vertex; there is a dark brown band on each side of the scutellum and pronotum. The genae, the area in front of the antennae, are darkened in males, characteristic of this species; males are generally darker overall than females. The frons is either dark or pale. There is a dark brown to black mark at the apex of the clavus on the wings, though some specimens apparently can lack this mark; some individuals can also have dark tinging on the upper apical cells of the wings. (UDEL) For figures of this species, see: Asche & Wilson. | A single record from the Coastal Plain, likely found elsewhere in this region; perhaps a recent arrival in the state. | Coastal marshes | Para grass (Urochloa mutica) (UDEL) | ||||||||
| sciName | description | abundance | habitat | food | ||||||||
| Sogatella kolophon | A somewhat bicolored species, with a dark stripe that extends on the sides of the pronotum and scutellum; it ends on the scutellum as a basal triangle. There is a pale, orange-tan median band that extends from the head down to the inner edge of the wings. The face is tan, characteristic of this species. (UDEL) | Seemingly a common species, with many records across the state. | Grassy areas | Grasses?, Maize (UDEL) | ||||||||
| Saccharosydne saccharivora West Indian Canefly | A distinctive green species with orange eyes and black lines on the front of yellowish antennal segments. The head is narrow with respect to the thorax and projects forward past the eyes; likewise, the frons is also narrow. Nymphs are pale greenish, with a whitish middorsal stripe. (UDEL) | A locally common species where found, primarily in the eastern Piedmont and Coastal Plain. | Grassy, brushy areas | Andropogon bicornis, Andropogon glomeratus (bushy bluestem), Saccharum officinarum (Sugarcane); Sorghum sudanense (Sudangrass) (UDEL) | ||||||||
| Prokelisia marginata | A light brownish species with yellowish to hyaline wings and a pale thorax and face. The frons has dark brown longitudinal markings along the median and is widest in the basal third; it is about two times longer than it is wide. Adult males are 2.3-4.1 mm long, while females are 3.4-4.4 mm. (Wilson, 1982) | Locally common along the coast where it has been recorded, probably found throughout the coast. | Grassy, marshy areas with Spartina (UDEL) | Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass) (UDEL) | ||||||||
| Prokelisia dolus | A brownish species with yellowish hyaline wings and a light brown to yellow thorax and pale face. The frons has dark brown longitudinal markings along the median and is widest in the basal third; it is less than two times longer than it is wide. Adult males are 2.7-3.3 mm long, while females are 2.9-3.6 mm. (Wilson, 1982) | Primarily recorded from the Coastal Plain, with records from a single county in the Piedmont. Likely more abundant in the right habitat. | Grassy areas with Spartina (UDEL) | Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass) (UDEL) | ||||||||
| Prokelisia crocea | A distinctive member of this genus, yellowish-orange overall. The face is pale, orange-yellow laterally and pale medially; the clypeus is also pale. The head, pronotum and scutellum are largely orange, with a bold whitish longitudinal median line down the scutellum. The wings are hyaline, with the yellowish-orange abdomen clearly visible through the wings. The legs and underside of the body are pale. (UDEL) | Recorded from the coast, likely more abundant in the right habitat. | Grassy, coastal habitat | Coastal grasses, cordgrass (Spartina alternifolia) (UDEL) | ||||||||
| Pissonotus tumidus | A light brown species, extensively maculated with yellow. The frons and vertex are a light brown, maculated with yellow, and the front tibiae are slightly expanded. The wings are clear or a light brown with dark veins. The abdomen is light brown and the front tibiae are slightly expanded. The antennal segments are yellowish with diffuse longitudinal brown markings. Adult brachypterous males are 2.36-2.62 mm long, while females are 2.87-3.51 mm. (Bartlett & Deitz, 2000) | Recorded from a single county in the mountains; rare. | Probably grassy areas | Asteraceae | ||||||||
| Pissonotus tessellatus | A dark brown species maculated with yellowish and white color and a reddish tinge. The frons is brown with yellowish maculations and the epistomal margin with a white transverse band. The first antennal segment is dark brown while the second is paler. The wings are light brown with pale reticulated venation. The abdomen is dark brown with elongate white maculations. The front tibiae on the legs are greatly expanded. Adult brachypterous males are 1.76-2.22 mm long, while females are 2.24-2.68 mm. (Bartlett & Deitz, 2000) | Recorded from a single county in the Coastal Plain; rare. | Probably grassy areas | Asteraceae | ||||||||
| sciName | description | abundance | habitat | food | ||||||||
| Pissonotus spooneri | A shiny brown species with a brown frons with the epistomal margin having a white transverse band. The antennae are yellowish while the pronotum is mostly white, brown anteriorly. The front tibiae are considerably expanded in the front, giving the impression of a spider. The abdomen is brown and the wings are brown with a white transverse band posteriorly. Macropterous individuals are colored similarly to the brachypters but have clear wings with light brown veins. Adult brachypterous males are 1.73-1.84 mm long, while females are 2.24-2.37 mm; macropterous females are around 3.13 mm. (Bartlett & Deitz, 2000) | Reported from the mountains and Piedmont; rare. | Probably grassy areas | Asteraceae | ||||||||
| Pissonotus piceus | A species that widely varies in color, from dark chestnut-brown to brownish orange. The body is shiny and the frons is immaculate; it is pale ventrally and gradually becomes darker dorsally, with a dark clypeus. However, the colors of the frons can intergrade and sometimes it is completely pale. The antennal segments are yellowish. Markings on the apex of the wing and posterior margin of the pronotum may be present or absent. The key distinguishing characteristic for this species and other similar ones in the P. piceus complex is the narrow but projecting vertex. While the vertex (top of the head) usually does not extend much past the eyes in other Pissonotus, it noticeably projects past the eyes in piceus, as can be seen here. Macropterous individuals are similarly colored to brachypters, with the caudal apex of the mesonotum yellowish and wings clear. Adult brachypterous males are 2.20-2.38 mm long, while females are 2.81-3.19 mm; macropterous males are 3.10-3.37 mm long while females are 3.38-3.81 mm. (Bartlett & Deitz, 2000) For more images of this species, see here. | Scattered records across the state, likely abundant in the right habitat. | Wetland areas | Polygonum hydropiperoides (Swamp smartweed), Polygonum sp., (Polygonaceae); Ludwigia peploides (floating primrose-willow), Ludwigia grandiflora (large-flower primrose-willow; Onagraceae). This species can be abundant on swamp smartweed and may be on some closely related smartweeds. (UDEL) | ||||||||
| Pissonotus paludosus | A dark brown species with an immaculate, concolorous frons. The antennae are yellowish and the pronotum is very dark brown with a distal transverse white band. The distal margin of the otherwise dark wings is white. The abdomen is an immaculate very dark brown. Adult brachypterous males are 1.70-2.03 mm long while females are 2.11-2.67 mm. (Bartlett & Dietz, 2000) | Recorded from a single county in both the mountains and upper Coastal Plain, probably more abundant in the right habitat. | Probably grassy areas | "On Cane"; (Arundinaria sp., Poaceae) (UDEL) | ||||||||
| Pissonotus niger | A very dark brown, nearly black species with an immaculate frons. The vertex is dark brown with paler carinae (ridges), and the first antennal segment is a dark brown while the second is paler. The wings are dark brown, as is the abdomen. Adult brachypterous males are 2.14-2.33 mm long, while females are 2.48-2.79 mm. (Bartlett & Deitz, 2000) | Recorded from a few counties in the mountains, possibly more abundant in the right habitat. | Probably grassy areas | Asteraceae | ||||||||
| Pissonotus merides | A dark brown species with an immaculate frons, paler on the epistomal margin. The antennae are light brown and the pronotum is very dark with a white caudal transverse band. The wings are dark brown with concolorous venation and a thin white band on the apical margin. The abdomen is very dark brown. Adult brachypterous males are 1.85-2.18 mm long, while females are 2.09-2.60 mm. (Bartlett & Deitz, 2000) | A single record from the Coastal Plain; rare. | Probably grassy areas | Asteraceae | ||||||||
| Pissonotus marginatus | A dark brown to reddish-brown to black shiny species which is sexually dimorphic. The frons is a light brown color, with a darker brown, contrasting clypeus. The antennal segments are a light brown. In brachypterous males, the wings are a dark brown with a thin white apical margin. In females, the wings lack the white apical margin. Macropterous individuals are similar in color to brachypters but have clear wings. The antennae are stramineous. Adult brachypterous males are 2.38-2.90 mm long, while females are 2.54-3.40 mm; macropterous females are 3.81-3.88 mm. (Bartlett & Deitz, 2000) For more images of this species, see: BG. | Recorded across the state where it is uncommon. | Montane grassy areas | Carex sp. (Cyperaceae), Solidago sp. (goldenrod; Asteraceae) (UDEL) | ||||||||
| Pissonotus guttatus | A polished orange to brown species with pale legs. The tips of the wings have a distinctive, characteristic white mark that does not extend across the entirety of the apical wing margins, distinguishing this species from the similar P. binotatus. Furthermore, the head typically strongly contrasts with the rest of the body, being dark brown to black in orange individuals. In darker brown specimens, the contrast between the head and the body is reduced. The postclypeus is very dark brown, with this color extending laterally to the procoxae; the anteclypeus is stramineous. Macropterous individuals are much darker than brachypters, typically a dark brown, with clear or slightly darkened wings. The antennae are stramineous. Adult brachypterous males are 1.99-2.22 mm long, while females are 2.67-2.88 mm; macropterous females are around 3.33 mm long. (Bartlett & Deitz, 2000) | Largely recorded from the mountains, with a couple records from the Piedmont. | Asteraceae | |||||||||
| sciName | description | abundance | habitat | food | ||||||||
| Pissonotus flabellatus | This species is boldly marked with a dark abdomen with white spots and a whitish incomplete middorsal line, black wings with broad white apical margins, and a [largely] white thorax. The head is also blackish. The frons is dark brown to black with white speckling and a white band above the clypeus. The antennae are stramineous. This species has considerably expanded front tibiae, which are black; this gives the impression of very broad, almost spider-like front legs. Macropterous individuals are darker than brachypters with less extensive pale markings and clear wings. Adult brachypterous males are 2.17-2.61 mm long, females are 2.85-3.49 mm; macropterous males are 3.44-3.63 mm long while females are 3.50-3.88 mm. (Bartlett & Deitz, 2000) For more images of adults and possibly nymphs, which are highly mottled in color, see: BG. | Scattered records across the state, probably more abundant in the right habitat. | Grassy, brushy field-type areas | Asteraceae | ||||||||
| Pissonotus dorsalis | A dark brown to black species with males darker than females (can appear lighter brown). The frons is light brown and immaculate, and the antennal segments are pale. The abdomen is dark brown with a broad, white middorsal band, characteristic of this species. The wings on brachypters are blackish with a white apical margin, distinguishing this species from other similar Pissonotus. Macropterous individuals are similarly colored to brachypters but have clear wings. Adult brachypterous males are around 3.08 mm long, while females are around 3.35 mm; macropterous males are around 4.05 mm long while females are around 4.04 mm. (Bartlett & Deitz, 2000) | Recorded from several counties in the mountains, likely more abundant in this region. | Beta vulgaris (common beet; Chenopodiaceae ), Salix sp. (willow; Salicaceae), Agrostis sp. (bentgrass, Poaceae), Solidago sp. (goldenrod, Asteraceae), Daucus carota (Queen Anne's Lace, Apiaceae) (UDEL) | |||||||||
| Pissonotus dentatus | A variably colored lustrous species, ranging from brown to brownish orange. The frons is immaculate and mostly brownish orange, paler ventrally; the postclypeus is dark brown, with the anteclypeus paler. The vertex ranges from brown to borwnish orange, and the antennae are stramineous; the pronotum and mesonotum are brown to orange-brown, paler caudally. The wings are light brown with a medially incomplete distal transverse band. The abdomen is brownish orange to brown and immaculate. In macropterous individuals, the coloration is similar to brachypters with the mesonotum darker; wings are clear. Adult male brachypters are 1.88-2.20 mm long, while females are 1.59-2.43 mm; adult macropter males are 2.73-2.86 mm long, females are 3.05-3.22 mm. (Bartlett & Deitz, 2000) | A single record from the Piedmont; rare. | ||||||||||
| Pissonotus concolor | A very dark species with a dark brown to black body; adults are mostly concolorous/uniformly colored and have shiny bodies. The antennae and legs are pale to stramineous, and the face is almost entirely dark brown to black; the pronotum and mesonotum are also very dark brown. The wings are dark brown, lacking and transverse contrasting bands. Adult brachypterous females are around 3.4 mm long. (Bartlett & Deitz, 2000) | Rare. Recorded from a couple counties in the mountains, possibly more abundant in the right habitat. | Montane grassy areas | Asteraceae | ||||||||
| Pissonotus delicatus | A variable species, ranging in color from orange to nearly black. For brachypterous individuals, the tips of the wings are white; otherwise, the body is mostly the same color. There is a black band across the clypeus on the face. The first antennal segment is black, and there is a black line across the front of the second antennal segment; there also black lines on the front of the legs. Macropterous individuals have clear wings but otherwise the same pattern and colors at brachypters, though typically on the darker side. Adult brachypterous males are around 1.97 mm long, while females are around 2.45 mm; macropterous males are around 3.39 mm long while females are around 3.47 mm. (Bartlett & Deitz, 2000) | Recorded from several counties in the Piedmont and mountains. | Reported to be a component of pinelands in southern temperate decidious forests. Likely to be found in grassy areas. (Bartlett & Deitz, 2000) | Grindelia squarrosa (Curlycup gumweed); Grindelia papposa; reported (but not confirmed) from many other hosts as well (Bartlett & Deitz, 2000) | ||||||||
| Pissonotus brunneus | A dark, blackish species with pale wing venation (in brachypters) and no spots on the face. There is a thin white line that crosses the face, and the bottom of the clypeus is pale, as are the legs. The first antennal segment is black while the second is a pale brown. Macropterous individuals lack the pale wing venation of brachypters. Adult brachypterous males are around 2.25 mm long, while females are around 2.71 mm; macropterous males are around 3.23 mm long while females are around 3.50 mm. (Bartlett & Deitz, 2000) Nymphs are largely orange with a darker brown, mottled head. | Recorded from across the state, where it can be uncommon to common. | Has been found in grassy, brushy areas. Commonly found in upland, old-field situations (Bartlett & Deitz, 2000) | Erigeron quercifolius (oakleaf fleabane), Erigeron sp., Symphyotrichum puniceum (purplestem aster; Asteraceae); Lespedeza sp. (Fabaceae), Agrostis sp. (Poaceae) (UDEL) | ||||||||
| Pissonotus binotatus | A variable species, ranging in color from bright orange to nearly black. For brachypterous individuals, the tips of the wings are white; otherwise, the body is mostly the same color. There is a black band across the clypeus on the face. The first antennal segment is black, and there is a black line across the front of the second antennal segment; there also black lines on the front of the legs. Macropterous individuals have clear wings but otherwise the same pattern and colors at brachypters. Adult brachypterous males are around 1.77 mm long, while females are around 2.36 mm; macropterous males are around 2.84 mm long while females are around 3.07 mm. (Bartlett & Deitz, 2000) Nymphs are entirely orange. | A fairly common species, recorded across the state. | Grassy areas | Most easily found on Conyza canadensis (Canadian horseweed; especially in well-drained situations were the plant perpetuates, less often in fallow fields); also Eupatorium (thoroughwort) (Asteraceae) (UDEL) and Erigeron (BG). | ||||||||
| sciName | description | abundance | habitat | food | ||||||||
| Pissonotus albovenosus | A fairly distinctive member of this genus, with cream-colored wing venation. The abdomen and thorax are dark with cream tints in areas. Note that there is a bold white band across the base of the frons, above a black postclypeus (lower part of the face); the rest of the face is black with some pale spots. The first antennal segment is also black. While adults are typically brachypterous, they can be macropterous, lacking the characteristic wing venation and tending to have darker bodies. Adult brachypterous males are around 2.29 mm long, while females are around 2.75 mm; macropterous males are around 3.05 mm long while females are around 3.40 mm. (Bartlett & Deitz, 2000) See here and here for images of a macropterous adult female. Nymphs are a mottled stramineous to dark brown, with a prominent whitish section on the abdominal segments. Older nymphs have the characteristic dark postclypeus. For a nice set of images showing the life cycle of P. albovenosus with the fourth and fifth nymphal instars and adult stages, see: BG. | Found in the Coastal Plain, and from a single county in the Piedmont. Has been found to be present in North Carolina in Distichlis communities from May 11 to November 13, and in Juncus communities in all months except March. (Bartlett & Deitz, 2000) | Most abundant in coastal tidal marshes, but also found inland. | Iva frutescens (Jesuit's bark); Lygodesmia grandiflora (largeflower skeletonplant); Borrichia frutescens (bushy seaside tansy/ sea oxeye) (Asteraceae) (UDEL); from Juncus roemerianus and Distichlis spicata in NC salt marshes (Bartlett & Deitz, 2000). Also reported from Aster dumosus (BG). | ||||||||
| Pissonotus aphidioides | A somewhat distinctive species, with slightly to considerably expanded front tibiae; the front legs are longer than other members of this genus, giving this species the impression of almost mimicking a spider. Brachypterous adults are a dark brown, with brown abdomen, legs, antennal segments, and wings; the wing venation is pale. The thorax is a contrasting white with two small black marks, and the white extends onto the face above a black clypeus; the vertex is dark. The eyes are red, and there is a noticeable reddish tint to at least the first antennal segment. Macropterous individuals are darker than brachypters; they have a black body with reddish eyes and antennae. The frons on macropters is dark brown maculated with white. Adult brachypterous males are around 2.86 mm long, while females are around 3.46 mm; macropterous males are around 3.93 mm long while females are around 4.37 mm. (Bartlett & Deitz, 2000) | Recorded from a single county in the mountains, possibly more abundant in that region. | Probably high elevation grassy areas | Asteraceae | ||||||||
| Phyllodinus nervatus | A dark species with distinctive, highly reticulated white wing venation. This is a large species, typically brachypterous, with a mostly black body except white vertex and pronotum and a white streak on the side of the thorax. The frons is spotted black and brown. This species is most similar to some species of Pissonotus which have expanded front legs (P. aphidioides, P. tumidus, and P. tessellatus). Bartlett notes that these species are all similar in that "the median carinae of the frons is forked, but in Phyllodinus the branching arms are diverging and distinct whereas in Pissonotus the arms are closely approximated on the frons." (UDEL) | Recorded from a single county in the mountains; possibly more abundant in the mountains. | Typically grassy areas in mesic forests (UDEL) | Common hairgrass (Deschampsia flexuosa) (Poaceae); Poa sp. in alluvial floodplain forest (UDEL) | ||||||||
| Perkinsiella saccharicida Sugarcane Planthopper | A large delphacid, light orange-brown overall in coloration. The wings are smoky hyaline in coloration, with a median brown band becoming stronger and wider as it extends towards the apices. The wing venation is dotted with black. The thorax is bicolored, resembling a broad pale band down the middle of the scutellum and pronotum contrasting with brown bands on the lateral margins; the pale coloration extends onto the vertex. The face is distinctly bicolored, with a brown intercarinal region and clypeus that contrasts with a pale frons. There is a large, flattened spur near the apex of the tibiae of the hind legs, characteristic for this species. Antennae are flatenned and a dark yellowish-brown color. Adults are 4.5-6.0 mm long. (Bartlett, 2013) Nymphs are pale with mottled orange, brown and black marks across the body. Nymphs also display the large hind tibial spur that is characteristic of adults. | Only recorded from a single county in the Coastal Plain, a recent arrival in the state and likely carried north by the winds of Hurricane Dorian. | Coastal areas that are somewhat in the vicinity of sugarcane. | Sugarcane | ||||||||
| Peregrinus maidis Corn Delphacid | A fairly distinctive species, being larger than many delphacids with slightly patterned wings and a very thin, pale stripe along the midline of the body. The middle carina (ridge) of the face is distinctively forked well below the top of of the head. Also note that the face is yellowish near the top of the head and darker on the rest of the face. The antennae are yellowish with a dark brown ring between the two segments and dark tips to the second segment. The underside of the body is dark brown. Brachypterous (short-winged) adults are light to dark brown in color, with a pale stripe down the sides of the abdomen. | Adventive, scattered records across the Coastal Plain and Piedmont (mostly the CP), likely occurs in agricultural areas. | Near agricultural areas likely | Corn (the primary host), Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense), and Kola (UDEL) | ||||||||
| Pareuidella weedi | A dark brown species, sometimes orange in color, that typically has brown wings and dark venation. The thorax, abdomen, head, and legs are a dark brown color, if the specimen is dark. The face lacks any dark coloration, being unicolorous. For images of a pinned specimen and to compare with other members of this genus, see: UDEL. | Uncommon, recorded across the Piedmont and Coastal Plain; probably more abundant throughout this area. Of the species in this genus most likely to be encountered in North Carolina, this is certainly the most common. | Has been found in open grassy areas. | |||||||||
| Pareuidella triloba | A light brown to reddish-brown species, with an unmarked face and body. This species can be both macropterous and brachypterous. The appendages at the tip of the male abdomen are a distinctive shape for this species. For images of a pinned specimen, see: BG. | Several records from the Piedmont and Coastal Plain. | ||||||||||
| sciName | description | abundance | habitat | food | ||||||||
| Pareuidella magnistyla | Scattered records across the state. | |||||||||||