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| sciName | description | abundance | habitat | food | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lapsium difficile | An overall reddish species, with the base color of the vertex and mesonotum a variable medium brown (the mesonotum is sometimes paler medially). The face has the color variable, usually a castaneous or ochraceous color; the median carina are conspicuously elevated and are yellowish throughout (the lateral carinae are a pale yellow). The eyes are unmottled. The tegmina have the membrane usually subhyaline, with the basal area smoky brown in some individuals; the crossveins here usually are brownish. The commissure is fuscous, and the veins elsewhere on the wings are pale yellow. The stigma is a distinct brown path, being nearly twice as long as wide. The legs are mostly a light brown color and are unbanded. Adult males are around 4.5-5.0 mm long. (Mead & Kramer, 1982) For more images of this species, see: BG. | Rare, a single record from the coast; likely found elsewhere in this region. | Mimosa borealis, Celtis laevigata (UDEL) | |||||||||
| Xenoliarus placitus | A robust species with a dark face, head, and thorax, ranging from fuscous to fuscocastaneous/castaneous; there are two pale marks on the face that look more like lines than spots. The carinae of the mesonotum are concolorous in most specimens but orange in others. In typical males, the dark markings on the wing bordering the pronotum usually extend downward through the median area of the wings along the commissure, forming a Y-shape and giving the marking a "key-like" appearance. There is one spot on each wing bordering this dark line, but in bolder individuals there are dark crossveins as well, particularly near the apex of the wings. The costal cell tends to have three weakly developed spots. The wing venation ranges from stramineous (yellowish) to brownish, with most specimens having fairly pale veins. The stigma on each wing is a bold dark brown to black, resulting in a prominent dark costal spot closer to the apex. There is also an uncommon orange color form, with the entirety of the body and wings being an orange-brown color. Females are more variable in wing pattern and are usually darker than males with very fuscous markings that extend across much of the wing. The legs of this species are pale yellowish-brown. Adult males are typically 6.1 to 8.8 mm long, with females ranging as high as 10.7 mm. (Mead & Kramer, 1982; S. Hendrix pers. comments) | Recorded across most of the state where it is usually common; this is our most abundant and frequently encountered Melanoliarus species in North Carolina. | Has been found in maritime shrub; also reported from woodland and pine flatwoods. (Mead & Kramer, 1982) | "Nymphs of cixiids are subterranean, feeding on roots and possibly fungi. The significance of adult host records is unclear. Many cixiids are presumed to be polyphagous (as adults), most often on woody plants." (UDEL) | ||||||||
| Xenoliarus montanus | The vertex and mesonotum are dark brown, with the mesonotal carinae brownish to dull orange. The vertex is broad, with the median length noticeably less than the width at the apex of the posterior emargination. The face is typically castaneous in color, sometimes fuscous; the carinae range from yellow to orange. The wings vary from lightly to moderately spotted, with most of this speckling along the clavus and apical portions of the corium, sometimes a three or less spots in the costal cell. The wing venation is brownish with some white and dark sections interspersed; the stigma is brown. Adult males are 7.0 to 7.6 mm long. (Mead & Kramer, 1982) | Recorded from a few counties across the state, likely under collected. | Mountainous, hilly areas | Has been collected from Hickory (Carya sp.) (Mead & Kramer, 1982) "Nymphs of cixiids are subterranean, feeding on roots and possibly fungi. The significance of adult host records is unclear. Many cixiids are presumed to be polyphagous (as adults), most often on woody plants." (UDEL) | ||||||||
| Vitroliarus ecologus | A small species, with males ranging from 3.7 to 4.5 mm long. The vertex and mesonotum are piceous (glossy brown to black) in most specimens, fuscous in others; the carinae of the mesonotum ranges from concolorous to a dull orange in most specimens, black or dark brown in others. The vertex is narrow, with the median length distinctly larger than the width at the apex of the posterior emargination. The face is piceous or fuscous with prominent carinae that are orange or yellow. The wings lack large spots or bands but have suffusion around the apical crossveins, with the membrane typically with a slightly dusky color though glossy clear in some specimens. The wing venation is typically pale, becoming brown apically. (Mead & Kramer, 1982) | Recorded from a few counties in the Piedmont; should also be found in the mountains, as extensively collected from GSMNP across the state line. | Floodplain woods, prairie meadow, etc. (Mead & Kramer, 1982) | "Nymphs of cixiids are subterranean, feeding on roots and possibly fungi. The significance of adult host records is unclear. Many cixiids are presumed to be polyphagous (as adults), most often on woody plants." (UDEL) | ||||||||
| Oliaridus aridus | This species has a distinctive wing pattern. There are three spots in a diagonal line on each wing (in some bold specimens, these dots connect). The base of the wings are often dark, though this is not always present in some individuals. The wings are typically milky subhyaline but sometimes vitreous (clear). The wing veins are typically pale yellow basally, becoming brownish towards the apex; the stigma is light to dark brown. Overall, the coloration of this species is usually a reddish/brickish color, although it can range towards black. The vertex and mesonotum range in color from piceous (glossy brownish-black) to castaneous (chestnut), and the mesonotal carinae are concolorous in some specimens, but usually a dull orange or yellow-brown. The vertex is broad, with the median length equal to or exceeding the width at the apex of the posterior emargination. The face has various coloration but is usually chestnut- the median carinae are usually orange. However, there are two distinctive pale spots on the frons, characteristic of this species. The eyes are speckled, also characteristic of this species. Adult males are 5.9-8.4 mm long. (Mead & Kramer, 1982; S. Hendrix, pers. comments) For more images of this species, see: BG. For images of pinned specimens, see: BOLD. | Previously reported from the state; recently recorded from the Piedmont. Likely abundant across the state. | Adults have been collected from the following plants: Helianthus sp., Prunus persica, Vernonia interior, Polygonum sp., Medicago sativa, Apium graveolens, Prunus cerasus, Citrus paradisi, Carya sp., grass sp., Gossypium sp., Tillandsia usneoides, Quercus virginiana, Zea mays, Zanthoxylum clavaherculis. (Mead & Kramer, 1982) "Nymphs of cixiids are subterranean, feeding on roots and possibly fungi. The significance of adult host records is unclear. Many cixiids are presumed to be polyphagous (as adults), most often on woody plants." (UDEL) | |||||||||
| Cilidius vicarius | General appearance resembles M. quinquelineatus: "The vertex and mesonotum are fuscous to castaneous in color, with the mesonotal carinae typically concolorous but sometimes a dull orange. The vertex is moderately broad and variable, with the median length typically about equal to the width of the apex of the posterior emargination. The face is usually fuscous to brown in color, sometimes castaneous, with prominent carinae that range from brown to orange. The frons is moderately narrow with the width greater than the median length. The wings are highly variable in color, being almost immaculate in some specimens and variously banded and spotted with fuscous in other specimens. Well-marked individuals have two or three spots in the costal cells. The wing venation is typically pale except where brown spotting or banding occurs." The stigma is a distinct brown color but narrower than that of quinquelineatus. Adult males are 6.0 to 8.2 mm long. (Mead & Kramer, 1982) | Recorded from several counties in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain. | Collected from woody plants, including Quercus laevis, Galactia elliottii, Psidium quajava, and Pinus sp. (Mead & Kramer, 1982) "Nymphs of cixiids are subterranean, feeding on roots and possibly fungi. The significance of adult host records is unclear. Many cixiids are presumed to be polyphagous (as adults), most often on woody plants." (UDEL) | |||||||||
| Cilidius quinquelineatus | The vertex and mesonotum are fuscous to castaneous in color, with the mesonotal carinae typically concolorous but sometimes a dull orange. The vertex is moderately broad and variable, with the median length typically about equal to the width of the apex of the posterior emargination. The face is usually fuscous to brown in color, sometimes castaneous, with prominent carinae that range from brown to orange. The frons is moderately narrow with the width greater than the median length. The wings are highly variable in color, being almost immaculate in some specimens and variously banded and spotted with fuscous in other specimens. Well-marked individuals have two or three spots in the costal cells. The wing venation is typically pale except where brown spotting or banding occurs. The stigma is a distinct brown color. Adult males are 5.4 to 6.7 mm long. (Mead & Kramer, 1982) | Recorded from a few counties in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain. | Adults have been collected from Pinus rigida, Quercus ellipsoidalis, Carya sp., Quercus laevis, Pinus virginiana, Solidago (nymphs on roots). (Mead & Kramer, 1982) "Nymphs of cixiids are subterranean, feeding on roots and possibly fungi. The significance of adult host records is unclear. Many cixiids are presumed to be polyphagous (as adults), most often on woody plants." (UDEL) | |||||||||
| sciName | description | abundance | habitat | food | ||||||||
| Bifoliarus sablensis | The vertex, mesonotum and face are fuscous in most specimens, occasionally piceous or fuscocastaneous; the mesonotal carinae are typically concolorous but can be a contrasting orange. The vertex is elongate, with the median length greater than the width at the apex of the posterior emargination. The wings are usually almost entirely immaculate, with some specimens slightly infuscated at the apical crossveins and others with a slight dusky appearance. The wing venation ranges from yellowish to light brown, becoming darker toward the apices. The stigma is a medium brown color and short. A small species, adult males are 3.4 to 4.4 mm long. (Mead & Kramer, 1982) | Recorded from a single county in the mountains. | Meadows, herbaceous areas, open fields, etc. (Mead & Kramer, 1982) | Savannah grasses, Carpinus, Populus alba, Quercus alba, Alnus rugosa, Andropogon furcatus, Spartina sp. (Mead & Kramer, 1982) "Nymphs of cixiids are subterranean, feeding on roots and possibly fungi. The significance of adult host records is unclear. Many cixiids are presumed to be polyphagous (as adults), most often on woody plants." (UDEL) | ||||||||
| Bifoliarus chuliotus | A small species for the genus, adult males are 3.8-4.9 mm long. The vertex and mesonotum are a medium brown to blackish color, and the mesonotal carinae vary from being concolorous to contrastingly orange. The vertex varies in length from moderatly narrow to moderately broad. The face is various shades of brown. The wings are nearly immaculate , with most specimens having only slight brown at the apical crossveins; other specimens have the membranes of the basal half of the wings moderately brown while others have the entire wings slightly dusky, in addition to the brownish apical crossveins. (Mead & Kramer, 1982) | Has been recorded from the mountains and coastal plain. | Limited habitat information, but possibly inhabits mesic locales. (Mead & Kramer, 1982) | Adults have been taken on Quercus laevis and cane (Arundinaria sp.) (Mead & Kramer, 1982) "Nymphs of cixiids are subterranean, feeding on roots and possibly fungi. The significance of adult host records is unclear. Many cixiids are presumed to be polyphagous (as adults), most often on woody plants." (UDEL) | ||||||||
| Amiarus humilis | A distinctive species. The vertex and mesonotum are dark brown to black, and the face is entirely fuscous except for carinae that vary from brown to dull orange. The vertex is variably wide but usually appears broad and divergent basally. The wings lack spots and are hyaline except for the apical third (the tips), which are contrastingly dark; in some specimens, the basal two-thirds of the wing are almost concolorous with the tips. The wing venation is a uniform brown color. Small, with males 4.1 to 5.0 mm long. (Mead & Kramer, 1982) See here for images of live adults, and here for pinned specimens. | Recorded from across the state, but priamrily in the Piedmont; for some reason, this species seems to be quite locally abundant in North Carolina compared to other states. | Has been reported from pasture, bogs, prairie, river edge, rye, etc.; seems to predominate in damp habitats in cooler climates. (Mead & Kramer, 1982) | Adults have been taken from Poa pratensis, Carya sp., Asimina sp., and Medicago sativa. (Mead & Kramer, 1982) "Nymphs of cixiids are subterranean, feeding on roots and possibly fungi. The significance of adult host records is unclear. Many cixiids are presumed to be polyphagous (as adults), most often on woody plants." (UDEL) | ||||||||
| Rhynchomitra lingula | A greenish species with a fairly short, rounded head (compared to other members of this genus). The wing venation is greenish, otherwise the wings are clear. The legs are brownish-orange. See here for an image of a live adult, and here for images of a pinned specimen: (1) and (2). | Recorded from a few counties in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain; possibly more abundant in the state, especially near the coast. | Serenoa repens (saw palmetto; Araceae) (UDEL) | |||||||||
| Scaralina marmorata | A very distinctive and recognizable species that is highly variable (but localized) in color, with the body and anterior portions of the wings usually mottled with lichen-green, brown, and black coloration. The wings are reticulated with darker veins surrounding translucent wing cells, with dark markings on the basal half of the first claval vein interrupted; there is also a continuous dark transverse patch from the costa to the clavus, with pale crossveins. The base of the wings can show the lichen green and black color pattern found on the thorax, and there can be tiny red flecks along veins; there are many costal crossveins. The head is not strongly produced, being rather flat with eyes narrower than the pronotum, and the eyes are narrower than the pronotum. The sides of the face are parallel, and the frons has a broad pale upper margin that is otherwise dark below this; the clypeus is variable but is typically palest in the center and apically. The dark spots of the vertex are posterior in position, with restricted black markings very well-defined. The pronotal spots are well-defined, and the mesonotum center is largely pale (though it can be variably dark-marked). The legs are relatively long, especially the hind legs. The ninth abdominal tergite of the female is elongate, usually hiding the tenth and eleventh tergite; sternites are typically pale tan or basally black. Adults are about one inch in length and resemble small flattened cicadas. (UDEL, Yanega et al., 2024). Nymphs of the species are pale greenish overall with darker mottling and dense pale pinkish nodules. These nymphs are fairly flat and have a white face with two bold, black transverse bands. | Uncommon to locally common, with records across the state (though primarily the Piedmont and mountains) but not encountered frequently. | Found in deciduous forests. | Probably oaks (Yanega et al., 2024) such as Quercus nigra (BG). | ||||||||
| Acanalonia servillei | A large species, adults are distinctive. They are greenish overall, with broad, rounded wings that have dense, reticulated wing venation. There is a yellowish midline stripe that begins on the top of the head and thorax and extends down the wings. The key characteristic in this species, differentiating it from A. conica, is the rounded head. Additionally, servillei has three prominent wing veins that curve upward and are parallel to one another; this is not a feature in conica. Legs are reddish-brown. Nymphs of this species are mostly pale overall, with a dark brown to black patch on the sides of the thorax, helping differentiate this nymph from other members of this genus. Here is an image of an adult just emerging from its nymph exoskeleton which shows the characteristic pattern. | Uncommon, primarily found along the coast, reaches into the eastern and southern Piedmont. | Typically found along the coast, but can occur inland. Has been found in grassy, open pine habitat, as well as near mixed hardwood forest. | Capparis comosa (Capparaceae) (UDEL) | ||||||||
| Acanalonia bivittata Two-striped Planthopper | This species is typically green with broad wings with dense venation. There is a reddish-brown stripe along the inner edge of both wings, diverging around the margins of the thorax and producing two lines extending to the reddish eyes. Some individuals can be pink rather than green; this color form is known as A. bivittata var. rubescens. The legs are brown. Nymphs typically have a pale, whitish body with brown mottling on top, giving an overall brownish appearance (a key characteristic of this species); the amount of brown mottling can vary among nymph instars. Nymphs in good condition will show a dense clump of white hairs extending from the tip of the abdomen. Nymphs also tend to have a fairly flat and broad head, a very useful characteristic when differentiating from A. conica nymphs which tend to have pointed heads; when viewed from above or the side, the head looks flat across and rectangular in shape. However, nymphs are very difficult to identify in this genus and an ID may not be possible. See W & M for more information and illustrations of nymph instars. (UDEL) | Common and widespread across the state. | Has been found in grassy, field-type habitats, shrublands, forest edge, and within mixed hardwood forest. | Polyphagous, found on a variety of plants. | ||||||||
| sciName | description | abundance | habitat | food | ||||||||
| Epeurysa nawaii | A generally uniform, dull brown color. The forewings are transparent to weakly embrowned, sometimes having dark markings at the apex of the clavus or along the costal margin. The abdominal segments are reddish-brown except the pygofer and gonostyli, which are dark brown. In lateral view, the head is depressed below the pronotum level, and the body has a hump-backed appearance. The pronotum is broad, being two times longer than the vertex at the midlength. The antennae are short and terete. Adult males are 3.26-3.6 mm long, while females are 3.65-3.91 mm. (Hendrix et al., 2025) Nymphs (seemingly previously undescribed) are brownish-yellow overall and a short head like the adults. | Recorded primarily from the Piedmont; likely increasing in abundance and would be expected to occur elsewhere in the state. | Arundinaria sp. (presumably on A. tecta), A. gigantea, Chimonobambusa quadrangularis, Phyllostachys makinoi, P. bambusoides, cultivated bamboo (Hendrix et al., 2025) | |||||||||
| Tylozygus geometricus | A very distinctive, brightly colored species that is slightly smaller, at 4.2- 4.5 mm, compared to its cousin T. bifidus. This species is mostly green, with green wings, a partly green-colored scutellum, and a green pronotum. There are bold yellow transverse bands bordered by black bands on the top of the head and thorax, and the abdomen is dark with a tinge of yellow. Lastly, the face is dark, characteristic of this species (AI). There is a very dark form of this species where the green is replaced with a dark blue to black. It can range from partially bluish-black, showing some of the yellow and green lines found on normally colored adults, to an almost uniform bluish-black. This form though might only be found in Florida, per observations on Bugguide and iNaturalist. | Has been recorded across the state; locally common where found. | Recorded in a variety of grassy and brushy habitats, including microstygium. Has also been found in mixed hardwood forests. | |||||||||
| Tylozygus bifidus | A distinctively colored species with several color forms: blue, green, and dark. In all color forms, there are bold black lines on the wings, and bold black and white transverse lines around part of the head and pronotum. This species has reddish-orange colored eyes with a black spot. In some dark individuals, much of the body and wings may be so dark that the typical bifidus color pattern is not visible; however, the lines on the head and pronotum typically are still at least somewhat evident. Adults are usually 4.6 to 5.6 mm in length (BG). | Recorded across the state. Locally common where it has been found so far. | Has been found in grassy, brushy habitats as well as mixed hardwood forest. Probably abundant in similar habitats. | Salix sp. | ||||||||
| Homalodisca vitripennis Glassy-winged Sharpshooter | A large leafhopper, adults are 11-14 mm in length and have a large flattened head. This species has a blackish head and thorax with white spots, and the sides of the abdomen are a mixture of black and white patches. Wing veins are reddish to brown in color; the base half of the wings have "glassy" or transparent wing patches while the other half is dark in color with red, brown, and black patterns. The face and legs of adults are yellow-orange. The underside of the abdomen is speckled black and white, and the head and thorax are yellow. Nymphs shape-wise resemble the adults, especially the head; they have a grayish to brown body. For additional pics of adults, see BG. | Uncommon to locally common, recorded from a handful of counties in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain; probably more abundant in the state in the right habitat. | Found in grassy/brushy areas during much of the year, and hibernates in the forests during winter months. | This species feeds on the xylem, the water conducting tissue, of herbaceous and woody plants. It has been known to feed on more than 100 plant species; preferred plants depend on the season and locality, but typically include crape myrtle, citrus, oak, Vitis, Hibiscus, and holly. GWSS | ||||||||
| Tautoneura polymitusa | A fairly distinctively-marked species, with an orange/white color pattern. The base color of the head, pronotum, scutellum, and forewings is whitish, with a series of ochraceous/orange markings surrounded by darker borders across the entire hopper. The face is pale yellowish and the lora yellow; the underside of the thorax and pregenital part of the abdomen are yellow-brown. The terminalia are yellowish-brown, the legs pale yellow, and the abdominal sternites and tergites of the female are dark brown. Adult males are 2.4-2.6 mm long for their body, females are 2.5-2.7 mm. (Toth et al., 2017) For more images of this species, see: BG. | Rare, recorded from a single county in the Piedmont, but this species is expanding and likely to turn up in other counties. | Ulmus pumila, U. minor, U. parvifolia, Tilia spp. (3I) | |||||||||
| Erythroneura palimpsesta | A fairly distinctive species with a yellow or white dorsum and a red, orange, or brown (ranging to blackish) color pattern of oblique markings forming a continuous zigzag pattern. There is a dark spot on the costal margin of the wings, apical cell II has a distal spot, and the inner apical cell has a brown spot basally. The vertex has orange parrallel submedial lines, which often have a lateral branch; the vertex midline is pale; the face is also pale. The prontoum has Y or V-shaped markings, while the mesonotum is pale, with distinctive dark lateral triangles that, together with the dark apex, contrast with the pale areas. The underside of the thorax has a dark mesosternum, with the remainder pale. Adults are 2.8- 3.0 mm long. (Dmitriev & Dietrich, 2007) For more images of this species, see: BG. | Recorded recently from a couple counties in the piedmont, likely more abundant in this region. | Lonicera sp. (3I) | |||||||||
| Balclutha rubrostriata Red-streaked Leafhopper | A distinctively colored species with reddish forewings with white venation (the extent of red can vary among individuals). The pronotum is a cream color with a medial line. There is a longitudinal stripe on each side of the pronotum, and the lateral margins are reddish or pink, with medial and lateral stripes extending onto the posterior margin of the vertex and scutellum. The head is equal in width to the pronotum. The male subgenital plates taper gradually to relatively short finger-like apices. Adult males are 3.6-4.0 mm long, while females are 3.6-4.7 mm. (Knight, 1987) For more images of this species, see: BG. Note the images of nymphs, showing they range in color from pale to dark reddish-brown. | Rare, recently recorded from a single county in the mountains. Likely to show up elsewhere as it becomes established. | Rice (Oryza sativa) (Knight, 1987); King Ranch Bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum) (BG) | |||||||||
| 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 | ||||||||