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| sciName | description | abundance | habitat | food | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erythridula verdana | A distinctively colored species, yellowish overall except for a red to orange apex of the clavus; this mark appears as a reddish triangle on otherwise yellow wings. The extent and shape of the red can vary, appearing less like a triangle in less-bold individuals. The vertex is unicolorous with a pale midline; in bold individuals, there are two yellowish longitudinal lines on the pronotum leading to the yellowish scutellum. The thoracic venter is entirely pale, and the abdomen is pale dorsally. Adults are 3.3 mm long. (3I). | Uncommon to rare with a few records from the mountains; probably more abundant in the right habitat. | Seemingly rhododendron | |||||||||
| Stictocephala nr. stimulea Unknown Stictocephala Species | This species is greenish with dense pale whitish spots across the pronotum. The outer margins and apices of the suprahumeral horns, as well as the ridge of the pronotal crest, are edged in reddish-brown (white some pale speckling). The pronotum is fairly boxy overall. The legs are reddish-brown to dark brown. The rest of the body is green. At least 7-7.4 mm (female) in length. | Uncommon to rare, scattered records across the state. | ||||||||||
| Bruchomorpha cf. extensa Undescribed Bruchomorpha Species #2 | A large species, black overall with a contrasting yellow dorsal stripe extending from the head to the apex of the abdomen. Similar in pattern to B. dorsata but the head noticeably projects further than that of B. oculata. Adults have orange-colored legs. | Recorded from a few counties in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain; likely more abundant in the right habitat. | ||||||||||
| Eutettix slossoni | A brownish species with a rounded head that has bold markings. The frons of the female is yellow with two large apical fuscous spots. In males, the frons is black with typical markings yellow. The vertex, pronotum, and scutellum are yellow with two large spots on the anterior margin of the vertex and a brown to black band across the posterior part of the pronotum. The wings of the female are semi-hyaline light fulvous with veins darkening posteriorly and darkened along the outer margin of the clavus, in the apical cells, and in the center of discal cells. Male wings are opaque black in the clavus and the adjacent area of the corium, with the outer half of the corium partly semi-hyaline and partly opaque. Both sexes have a distinct white spot at the apex of clavus. The female pregenital sternite is about twice as wide as long, with the posterior margin excavated on either side of a prominent, unnotched median lobe that extends slightly further than the rounded lateral lobes. Males are 4 mm long, females are 5 mm. (Hepner 1942) For an image of a pinned specimen, see: BOLD. | One recent record from the Coastal Plain. | ||||||||||
| Orientus ishidae Japanese Leafhopper | A very distinctively marked and colored leafhopper, 4.3-6.5 mm in length. This species has an orange checkered appearance, with orange markings on the body and back amid black and white marks; the amount of orange can vary among individuals, with some mostly orange and others only partially orange. On the head there is an orange band extending between the eyes, followed by a white band at the edge before the head slopes downwards. The eyes can also be orange, and the legs are mostly orange except for a black base near the body. Nymphs are tan, yellow, or reddish in color, sometimes boldly marked, with a narrow head and elongate antennae and contrastingly white feet, characteristic of this species (BG). | Scattered records across the state with a majority in the Piedmont; likely more abundant in the right habitat. | Hardwood and mixed forests, forest edges/clearings, meadows and other grassy areas (BG). | Various shrubs | ||||||||
| Stirellus bicolor | A very distinctive looking leafhopper, distinguished from other species by its very narrow head, with the eyes separated only by their own width (BG). This species is highly variable in color, with several different forms. The "summer", iridescent form has yellowish-green wings and thorax with noticeable bluish-black patches and lines. The head and thorax have three transverse black bands, and the face is black. However, some "summer" individuals can show faint or non-existent black markings. Other individuals can have a "stressed" appearance, showing the colorful body of the "summer" form but pale, almost transparent wings of the spring brood. A southern form, only occurring in the southern states, resembles the "summer" form except the wings are a solid bluish-black color. The "winter" form is brownish overall with some small black markings on the thorax and head. Depending on the temperature and time of year, some individuals can show traits of both "summer" and "winter" forms. Adult females can be distinguished from males, as they have an abdomen that extends far past the wing tips. Nymphs are variable in coloration, ranging from reddish-brown to purplish to vibrant blue, with yellow eyes and the characteristic pointed, narrow head. For diagrams of the species, see: 3I. | A common and widespread species in the state, especially in the Piedmont and coastal plain, it can be found year-round. Abundance in the mountains is less certain. | Grassy, brushy areas such as fields; also forest edge and open forest. | A general grass feeder, including Andropogon spp. (bluestem and broomsedge) (BG). | ||||||||
| Texananus unidentified species2 Texananus (Texananus) | ||||||||||||
| sciName | description | abundance | habitat | food | ||||||||
| Texananus unidentified species Texananus (Iowanus) | Large, brownish overall. The entire body and wings have a dense reticulated mesh-like dark brown pattern, extending onto the face. The vertex has a white tip, in front of a broken dark brown band between the eyes. Adults are between 9.0 and 10.0 mm long. | Found throughout the state. | Mixed hardwood forest, open woodlands, grassy areas, etc. | |||||||||
| Texananus superbus | A robust brownish species with a broad, narrow head. The wings are pale brown with a dark brown and black network of reticulated lines. The head, pronotum, and scutellum are a pale tan color, contrasting with the wings. There are several white spots down the back. The underside is dark brown. The female pregenital sternite is quite distinctive, with a broad rounded excavation that reaches halfway to the anterior base. The male plates are short and broad and together form a semicircular shape. Adults are 6.0 mm long. (DeLong & Hershberger 1949) For diagrams of the genitalia of this species, see: TW. For images of live individuals, see: BG. | Recorded from a single county in the Piedmont; rare. | Fields, grassy areas, etc. | |||||||||
| Texananus rufusculus | A large robust, reddish-brown species. The vertex is one-fourth longer in the middle than next to the eyes. The overall color is yellowish reddish-brown irrorations, and the anterior border of the vertex is ivory yellow. The female pregenital sternite is broadly rounded laterally with a pair of median, rounded teeth separated by a small narrow notch. The male subgenital plates are long and triangular, with bluntly pointed apices. Adults are 7-7.25 mm long. (DeLong & Hershberger, 1949; Crowder, 1952) For diagrams of the genitalia of this species, see: 3I. | Uncommon to rare, a handful of recent records from the Piedmont; probably under-detected but uncommon. | Has previously been found in moist woodlands or wooded floodplain areas on rank growing herbaceous vegetation (DeLong & Hershberger, 1949). | |||||||||
| Texananus majestus | A large reddish-brown species, with adults 9.0-10.0 mm long. The entire body and wings have a dense reticulated mesh-like dark brown pattern, extending onto the face. The vertex is bluntly angled and has a tan to white tip, in front of a conspicuous, irregular and broken transverse dark brown to fuscous band between the eyes; there are typically two fuscous spots in front of the band on the vertex. The anterior portion of the pronotum has dark vermiculate markings, and the wings are heavily mottled with chestnut-brown. The female pregenital sternite is two to three times as wide as long and has a narrow but deep medial incision, extending about halfway to the anterior margin; the posterior sides of the notch end in a somewhat sharp tooth, with the lateral posterior angles of the sternite broadly rounded. The lateral margins of the pregenital sternite are also almost parallel. The pregenital sternite is mostly a light brown to tan color, with some darker mottling near the notch. The male subgenital plates are close to one another, without a noticeably gap between them; together, they are triangular in shape and are long and narrow with broad, blunt and rounded apices. (DeLong & Hershberger, 1948; Crowder 1952) For diagrams of this species, see: Dmitriev. For more images of individuals that have been identified as this species, see: BG. | Recorded from a couple counties in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain; likely more abundant in the right habitat. | Open woodlands | Herbaceous plants | ||||||||
| Texananus longipennis | A large brownish species, with adults 8.5-10.0 mm long; it can range smaller than the other two Iowanus species in the state (see Comments section). The pronotum is yellowish, blotched with brown on the anterior third and with brown irrorations on the posterior two-thirds. The scutellum is brownish, with a pair of ivory white spots on the lateral margins. There is a transverse band between the eyes, broadest at the middle; there are a pair of spots near the apex of the crown. The face is brownish with darker markings. The wings have a dense reticulated and evenly-marked mesh-like dark brown pattern, lacking distinct spots on the costal margin. The vertex has a bold white tip, in front of a broken black band between the eyes; the crown is a little narrower than the other two Iowanus species. The female pregenital sternite has a narrow medial notch (more of a slit) that extends between a third to a half of the way inwards; the posterior sides of the notch extend outwards slightly, with the posterior margin of the sternite weakly concave towards the lateral sides. The pregenital sternite is brownish with a somewhat broad blackish coloration near the notch, decreasing in width the closer to the anterior edge of this sternite; its lateral margins are mostly parallel. The male subgenital plates are relatively close to one another, with a slight gap between them; together, they are triangular in shape, with slightly rounded lateral (rather than straight) margins near the base. (Crowder, 1952) For diagrams of this species, see: Dmitriev. | Recorded from across the state but infrequent, can be locally common; likely under reported and more abundant in the right habitat. | Open grassy, brushy areas, open woodland, woodland edge | |||||||||
| Texananus distinctus | This species has a striking coloration, being ivory-white marked with black or dark brown. The elytra are ivory-white with dark markings. The female pregenital sternite is usually dark and is short and slightly more than a fourth as long as wide, with the lateral margins converging strongly from the base and the posterior lateral angles prominently produced; the posterior margin is truncate with a V-shaped notch that is narrowed anteriorly near the base (DeLong & Hershberger, 1949; Crowder, 1952). The male subgenital plates are broadly rounded on the sides, bowing out before rounding at the apices; an overall squat appearance. For diagrams of the genitalia of this species, see: 3I. | Known from a couple historical records from the Piedmont; likely under-collected but rare. | Grasses of open pine woods with abundant herbaceous undergrowth (Crowder, 1952) | |||||||||
| Texananus decorus | A stubby looking member of this genus, short and robust. It is dark brownish overall, with dark brown and white mottling that gives it a checkered appearance. This species has white spots down the middle of the back. The posterior edge of the pronotum and the scutellum have more white than the rest of the body, providing a noticeable contrast from the dark marks on the wings that connect with the white dots on the back. There is also a small, pale transverse band on the head above the eyes. The legs are checkered as well. The female pregenital sternite has the lateral margins rounded; there is a broad and deep V-shaped notch in the middle, flanked with dark coloration. Male plates are short and narrow and triangular in shape. Adults are 6.0 mm long. The nymph is brownish overall with white and black marks and a very spiny abdomen. (Delong & Hershberger 1949) | Recorded primarily from several counties in the Piedmont, probably more abundant in the right habitat. | Grassy areas, fields, pastures, etc. | Grasses | ||||||||
| sciName | description | abundance | habitat | food | ||||||||
| Texananus caducus | A large brownish species, with adult males around 8.0 mm long and females 9.0-9.5 mm long. The entire body and wings have a dense reticulated mesh-like dark brown pattern, extending onto the face. The vertex has a tan to white tip, in front of a broken dark brown band between the eyes that is enlarged on either end. The female pregenital sternite has a broad V-shaped medial notch, extending about a third to halfway towards the anterior margin; the posterior sides of the notch end in a slightly produced sharp tooth, with the posterior margin of the sternite concavely rounded towards the lateral sides (the posterior lateral angles are acutely produced). The pregenital sternite is mostly a light brown to tan color, with somewhat broad black coloration around the notch and along the midline, becoming narrower in size and extent the closer to the anterior margin. The male subgenital plates are somewhat close to one another, with a noticeable gap between them; together, they are triangular in shape, being long and tapered but curving outwards near the base. (DeLong & Hershberger, 1948; Crowder, 1952) For diagrams of this species, see: Dmitriev. | Recorded recently from a couple counties in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, probably more abundant in the right habitat. | Has been found near mixed hardwood forest; woodlands | Herbaceous vegetation | ||||||||
| Excultanus excultus | A distinctive species with a yellowish body (head and pronotum) and dark wings that have 3 small white discs along the wing edges where the wings meet on the back (BG). The head is also narrower than the thorax (visible from above), with the vertex about 1/4 longer in the middle than next to the eyes. The wings have a dark checkered appearance to them; the outer rear edge of the wings has small white dots along a black border. The underside of the body and back is dark, contrasting with the pale body. The female pregenital sternite is broadly excavated about 2/3 of the way to the anterior margin; the sides of the sloping lateral margins are slightly produced and rounded. The male plates are broad and triangular, with the apexes bluntly pointed. Adults are 6.0-6.5 mm long. (DeLong & Hershberger 1949) Nymphs are a brownish to grayish-brown color, with scattered white markings and some reddish coloration on the undersides of the abdominal segments. For a nice set of images of 4th and 5th instar nymphs of this species, see: BG. For diagrams of the genitalia of this species, see: 3I. | Uncommon to common across the state. | Has been recorded in grassy, field-type habitats, as well as in open, mixed hardwood, and pine forests. | |||||||||
| Norvellina seminuda | A species with a distinctive appearance. It has a mostly pale, almost whitish body with a broad rufousy-brown band; this band varies in shape, but it is always at least as wide as the white space between it and the base of the scutellum (BG). There are small grayish marks on the thorax, head, and part of the wings, and the face is pale. The female pregenital sternite has the posterior margins truncated or slightly produced, and there is a wedge-shaped median tooth. The male genital plates are long and triangular, with narrow apexes that are bluntly pointed. Adults are 4.5-5.0 mm long. (DeLong 1948) | Recorded across the state, where it is uncommon to common (particularly in the Piedmont). | Has been found in mixed hardwood forest areas; also areas with crops. | Gossypium hirsutum (upland cotton), Malus sp., Populus sp., Salix sp. (DL) | ||||||||
| Norvellina helenae | A brownish species, heavily covered with reddish-brown retiuclations. There is a large rufous-brown transverse band across the middle of the wings, forming a prominent saddle. The bordering pale areas have dense reticulations, resulting in a dirty brown appearance to these whitish bands. The base of the wings, scutellum, pronotum, and vertex are concolorous and reddish-brown. The female pregenital sternite has a broad, deep angular notch in the middle of the posterior margin from which arises a strap-like process that is as long as it is wide and is slightly bifid at the apex. Adults are 4.0-4.5 mm long. Nymphs are a pale reddish color overall. (Lindsay, 1940) For more images of this species, see: BG. | Uncommon to rare. Recorded from a couple counties in the Coastal Plain; probably more abundant in the right habitat. | Has been found in mixed hardwood forest edge habitat. | Found on the weed Lamb's Quarter (Chenopodium album) (BG). On Chenopodium, it can produce bright reddish spots from its feeding punctures. It frequently causes economic damage to spinach, swiss chard, and beets, which all belong to the same family as Chenopodium. (DeLong 1948) | ||||||||
| Mesamia nigridorsum | A milky white species marked with black. The vertex margin is white and there is a black line between the eyes. The pronotum is blackish, while the scutellum ranges from orange to black among individuals. The wings are mostly white except for a broad dark brown to black saddle in the middle; the wings are darker in males, and wing venation is dark. The underside of the abdomen is dark. The female pregenital sternite is broadly and angularly excavated with a short median tooth. Male genital plates are narrowed slightly and concavely to acute apexes. Adults are 4.0-5.0 mm long. (DeLong 1948) Nymphs are dark, speckled with white. | Somewhat rare, several historical records from the mountains and Piedmont; possibly more abundant in the right habitat. | Grassy areas, fields, prairie-like habitats | Helianthus sp. (DeLong 1948) | ||||||||
| Idiodonus kennicotti | A dark reddish-brown species with a characteristic white stripe o the wings. The body color is a rusty brown, and when viewed from the front, there are 4 bold black dots: 2 on the eyes, and 2 on the face. The vertex is a dirty yellow, and there is an orange transverse band between the eyes. The face is dirty yellowish-brown with a noticeable yellow midline. The pronotum has the posterior margin and median transverse band yellow. The female pregenital sternite has a roundedly produced posterior margin that is slightly incised and keeled, with a brown spot in the middle. The male plates are long and broad at the bases, with concave lateral margins and pointed tips. Adults are 6.0-6.5 mm long. (DeLong 1948) | Recorded across the state, with a majority of records from the mountains; likely more abundant in the state in the right habitat, especially in the mountains. | Has been found near mixed hardwood forest edge. | Oak, shrubby plants, tall herbaceous plants in shrubby plants | ||||||||
| Fitchana vitellina | A fairly distinctively patterned orange species, with yellowish head, face, and anterior base of the pronotum; the head is moderately pointed. The eyes are greenish-yellow, and the legs are yellowish with darker coloration at the joints. The posterior half of the pronotum is orange-brown, sometimes with three pale longitudinal markings. The scutellum is yellowish with orange-brown basal corners. There is a thin black line on an otherwise yellow face, below the vertex margin. The forewings are orange-brown with pale speckling; the base of each clavus is a darker brown, and there is an oblique transverse brown band closer to the tips that forms a V. The male subgenital plates are short, triangular and pointed. The posterior margin of the female pregenital sternite has a large rounded lobe on either side of a short median projection. Adult males are 5.0 mm long, females are 6.0-6.5 mm [though based on records collected in NC below, males can range to around 6.0 mm and females to 6.8 mm]. (Hepner, 1947) For more images of this species, see: BG. For images of a pinned specimen and drawings of various aspects of the species, see: 3I. | Recorded from several counties in the western part of the state, probably more abundant in at least the mountains; this species was not previously known from the state. | Has been found in forest edge, fields, meadows and lawns. | Has been reported from blackberry and dewberry, on which it can cause leaves to curl and redden; also collected from grasses, sedges and shrubs. (Hepner, 1947) | ||||||||
| sciName | description | abundance | habitat | food | ||||||||
| Eutettix unidentified species | Found throughout the Piedmont and Coastal Plain. | Mixed hardwood forest and forest edge. | ||||||||||
| Eutettix n. sp. Undescribed Eutettix Species | A dark species, sort of a dark rufous color overall. The base of the wings is a grayish color that contrasts with the rest of the body. The legs are pale. | This species has been found in several counties in the Piedmont where it is uncommon to rare; potentially more abundant in the right habitat. | Has been found in mixed hardwood forest. | |||||||||
| Eutettix tristis | A pale, tan species with two bold black head spots. The frons is yellow with two large separated basal black spots, with oblique markings sometimes faintly indicated. The vertex is yellow with two large black spots along the anterior margin, [usually] separated by a narrow yellow line; these spots and their separation are characteristic of this species. The pronotum is yellow except for a wide fulvous to fuscous band usually covering most of the posterior half, lighter in females (this band can be light or indistinct in some specimens), and the scutellum is yellow to fulvous. The wings are semi-hyaline fulvous with white spots at the apex of the clavus, usually darkened on both sides of this spot (these spots are not always very noticeable). The wing veins are usually concolorous with the cells but may be darkened posteriorly; the apical cells are sometimes slightly infuscated. The female pregenital sternite is less than twice as wide as the length at the middle, with almost straight anterior and lateral margins and a an unnotched median lobe on an otherwise straight posterior margin. Males are 5.5 mm long, females are 6.5 mm. (Hepner 1942) | Noted in Metcalf (1967) as occurring in North Carolina, but unclear from where. A few recent records from the Sandhills and Coastal Plain. | Pitch pine/scrub oak barrens (Chandler & Hamilton 2017) and similar habitats (such as those found in the NC Sandhills) | Oak (Quercus spp.), such as scrub oak (Quercus ilicifolia; Chandler & Hamilton 2017) | ||||||||
| Eutettix pictus | Distinctively colored, this is the most colorful member of this genus. The wings are a dark brown to shiny black color with blackish edges and a small yellow-opaque 'saddle' near the apex of the clavus on the wings. The scutellum is completely yellow, as is part of the pronotum and head. A [typically] bold black bar across the front of the pronotum is diagnostic of this species (BG); the face is also black with a broad yellow band beneath the eyes. Some individuals can be exceptionally dark. The frons of females are yellow with a dark base; in males, the frons is yellow with a dark base and fuscous to black markings on the disc. The female pregenital sternite has the posterior margin broadly and concavely excavated with a median pointed tooth. Adults males are 5.0 mm, females are 6.5 mm long. (Hepner 1942, DeLong 1948) Nymphs have a pale body with many reddish-orange markings. | Scattered records across the state where it is uncommon, probably more abundant in the right habitat, especially were oaks are present. | Mixed hardwood forest, where oaks are present; also pine-oak barrens (Chandler & Hamilton 2017). | Oaks (Quercus spp.), especially scrub oak (Chandler & Hamilton 2017) | ||||||||
| Eutettix marmoratus | A somewhat variable but brown to reddish-brown species. The frons is fulvous with somewhat dark markings, the vertex is ivory-yellow to fulvous with some darker markings. The scutellum is reddish-brown to fulvous to gray; the pronotum is brown to reddish-brown, lighter along the anterior margin. The wings are semihyaline-fulvous with clouded, paler areas on the anterior third and in apical cells. In some specimens, the color markings are absent and the body and wings are fulvous throughout (like the male specimen above). The male subgenital plates are triangular and tapered, the female pregenital sternite has a sinusoidal posterior margin with a median prominent projection. Adult males are 5.0 mm long, females are 6.0 mm. (Hepner, 1942) For more images of this species, see: BG. | An old historical record from the mountains and a recent one from the Piedmont. | Oaks (Quercus spp.), especially scrub oak (Chandler & Hamilton 2017) | |||||||||
| Eutettix luridus | A typically dark to reddish brown species. This species has dark brown to reddish wings with a small white "saddle" in the middle of the tegmen near the apex of the clavus; the apical cells are sometimes clouded. The vertex and pronotum are a tan to ivory-yellow color, as is the scutellum which also has distinctive brownish lateral triangles; there are fulvous to deep reddish-brown markings on the vertex and pronotum. The frons is fulvous with lighter markings. The eyes are also red, and the face is light brown. The female pregenital sternite is roundedly produced, slightly notched on either side of a small median tooth. Adult males are 5.5 mm, females are 6.0 mm long. (DeLong 1948, Hepner, 1942) For diagrams of this species, see: 3I. | Recorded from across the state where it is uncommon, probably more abundant in the right habitat. | Has been found in mixed hardwood forest. | Oaks (Chandler & Hamilton 2017) | ||||||||
| Danbara aurata | A pale golden-yellow species, lacking definite markings. The anterior margin of the vertex has an ivory line, behind which there are six brown points that are faintly indicated. The face and underside are yellow, with traces of alternate light and brown arcs on the front disc. The elytra are moderately long and slender, with indistinct venation. The posterior margin of the female pregenital sternite is an obtusely angled triangle, with the apex slightly produced; the pygofers are short and stout. Adult females are 4.5 mm long. (Ball, 1909) For images of a specimen and diagrams of this species, see: 3I, BG. | A single record from the Piedmont, rare (since its a somewhat distinctive species). | ||||||||||
| sciName | description | abundance | habitat | food | ||||||||
| Colladonus setaceus | A very distinctive reddish-orange and yellow species. The vertex is yellow, contrasting with the rufousy pronotum and scutellum. This reddish-orange coloration tends to extend onto the base of the wings before transitioning to a large yellowish saddle across much of the wings; the wing tips are also rufousy. In some individuals, the yellow saddle is small and surrounded by rufous coloration, while in other individuals the wings are noticeably darker and more brownish than reddish in coloration. The legs are a pale yellow, as is the underside of the body. The male subgenital plates are elongated and pointed. For more images of this specie, see: BG. For diagrams of the genitalia, see: 3I. | Rare, several records from the mountains and one from the Piedmont. | Alders, American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) (Chandler and Hamilton, 2017) | |||||||||
| Colladonus furculatus | The head and thorax are black and yellow, with the wings blackish-brown and yellow. The black band on the anterior margin of the pronotum extends notably onto the posterior margin of the vertex, resulting in a thicker and more prominent band on the body. The head has the anterior margin rounded. The female pregenital sternite is about 3 times as wide as long, with the posterior margin somewhat concave on either side of a median spatulate process, with the median emargination broadly V-shaped and deep; the spatulate process is about 5 times as long as the basal width and is produced considerably beyond the posterior margin, with the sides parallel and the apex bifid. Adults are 4.5-5.0 mm long. (Beirne, 1956; Nielson, 1957) For images of pinned specimens, see: BOLD. For more images of live individuals, see: BG. For diagrams of the genitalia, see: 3I. | Rare, recorded recently from a few counties in the Piedmont and mountains. Likely over-looked and under-collected. | Low vegetation bordering woods (Nielson, 1957) | ? | ||||||||
| Colladonus collaris | A boldly marked, yellow and black species. The head is obtusely angled and the apex rounded. The pronotum has a distinct yellow transverse band. The large yellow "saddle" on the wings is elliptical and elongate, extending from the scutellum to about 2/3 of the way down the wings; this yellow spot covers most of the clavi. The yellow claval spot is bordered by thick black coloration on the wings and scutellum; the costal border on each wing consists of a yellowish streak that becomes larger towards the apical cells, which are blackish. Two small black dots are located on the edge of the head. The underside of the abdomen and thorax are yellow. The female pregenital sternite is about twice as wide as long, and the posterior margin is uniformly convex on either side of a median spatulate process; the median emargination is broadly V-shaped and deep, while the spatulate process is about twice as long as the basal width produced up to the posterior margin, with parallel sides. Adults are 5.5-6.0 mm long. (Beirne, 1956; Nielson, 1957) For diagrams of this species, see: 3I. | Rare, with a single recent record from the southern mountains. Likely under-collected and over-looked. Reported to be most abundant during July and August, but occurring from mid-June through mid-September (Nielson, 1957). | Deep woods, boggy swamps, on underbrush; in cool, moist woods (Nielson, 1957) | Has been collected on Impatiens sp. (Nielson, 1957) | ||||||||
| Colladonus clitellarius Saddled Leafhopper | A distinctive, boldly marked leafhopper. It has brown to black wings with a large yellow "saddle" on the middle of the back. Some individuals are a bit paler, with the dark pattern lighter or reddish. The scutellum is concolorous with the wings, and there is a broad yellow transverse band on the pronotum followed by a dark band on the base of the thorax and part of the head. Two small black dots are located on the edge of the head. The underside of the abdomen and thorax are yellow. Adults are 5.0-6.0 mm long. Nymphs are a mottled brownish color, with pale blotches. For diagrams of this species, see: 3I. | Uncommon to common, recorded widely across the state. | Has been found in mixed hardwood forest and forest edge. | Often feeds on willows, though will forage on many other plants as well, such as Gleditsia triacanthos (honey locust), Platanus sp., Triticum sp., Polygonum perfoliatum (mile a minute vine), and vitis sp. (DL). | ||||||||
| Colladonus brunneus | A sexually dimorphic species. Males are rufousy-brown overall with yellow to white wings veins. The top of the scutellum is marked with a small black band, followed by a bold, distinctive yellowish transverse band across the pronotum. There is a transverse rufous "band" (not as defined as the other bands) across the base of the pronotum and part of the head, with a small black line bordering this band and the rest of the head. Finally, there are two small black marks on the edge of the head. Females resemble the males in color but lack the distinct wing venation and may only have a faint band on the pronotum. (RGC) For diagrams of this species, see: 3I. | Recorded from throughout the mountains, likely more abundant and widespread across this region. | Has been found in grassy, brushy habitat surrounded by montane forest, and mixed pine hardwoods. | ? | ||||||||
| Bandara unidentified species | Adults are orange yellow (though typically a darker orange than other members of the genus) with six black dashes above the margin of the vertex and an interrupted line beneath. The posterior margin of the vertex, three stripes on the pronotum, two spots on the scutellum and numerous oval spots on the wings are white. | Has been found in open woodlands, near mixed hardwood forest, grassy areas. | ||||||||||
| Bandara parallela | Adults are orange yellow (though typically a darker orange than other members of the genus) with six black dashes above the margin of the vertex and an interrupted line beneath. The posterior margin of the vertex, three stripes on the pronotum, two spots on the scutellum and numerous oval spots on the wings are white. The female pregenital sternite is rounded on lobelike lateral angles; the posterior margin is broadly, deeply emarginate with a broad, short, notched spatulate process at the apex. The male subgenital plates are long and convexly rounded to blunt apices; the lateral margins of each plate are slightly concave. Adults are 4.2-5.0 mm long. (DeLong 1948) For diagrams of the genitalia of this species, see: 3I. | Recent records from the Piedmont; likely under collected and more abundant in the state. | Has been found in open woodlands, near mixed hardwood forest, grassy areas | |||||||||
| sciName | description | abundance | habitat | food | ||||||||
| Bandara johnsoni | Adults are orange yellow with six black dashes above the margin of the vertex and an interrupted line beneath. The posterior margin of the vertex, three stripes on the pronotum, two spots on the scutellum and numerous oval spots on the wings are white. The female pregenital sternite is "narrowed at half its length and produced to a roundedly emargninate posterior margin, which is rather deeply, narrowly incised at the middle to a slightly produced tooth on either side of the incision on the posterior margin" (DeLong 1948). The male plates are convexly narrowed to pointed apexes, together appearing triangular overall. Adults are 4.8-5.2 mm long. (DeLong 1948) For diagrams of the genitalia of this species, see: 3I. | Recorded from several counties across the state; the collection records in the mountains are tentative since they were identified before the 1946 revision of this genus. Likely more abundant in the right habitat. | Has been found in open habitat near mixed hardwood forest edge. | |||||||||
| Bandara curvata | Adults are orange yellow with six black dashes above the margin of the vertex and an interrupted line beneath. The posterior margin of the vertex, three stripes on the pronotum, two spots on the scutellum and numerous oval spots on the wings are white. The female pregenital sternite is rounded on lateral angles; the posterior margin is slightly emarginate, with a pair of short teeth in the middle that have divergent apexes. The male plates are tapered to blunt rounded apexes, appearing triangular together. Adults are 4.5-5.0 mm long. (DeLong 1948) For diagrams of the genitalia of this species, see: 3I. | Recorded from a few counties in the Piedmont and mountains; probably more abundant in the right habitat. | Has been found in open woodlands, near mixed hardwood forest, grassy areas | |||||||||
| Atanus perspicillatus | A pale species with variable markings. The body and wings are cream to grayish in color, and the face has brown arcs and marks. The crown has a broken waved line above the margin, and there is a Y-shaped spot in the middle of the crown and a broken O-shaped mark next to each eye. The pronotum has brown spots, usually in pairs near the base with the most prominent ones behind the eyes. There is a distinct set of black dots on the wings, with four spots spaced out from the inner edge of the wings, in the shape of a square. Three pairs of black spots are located on the inner wing edge, though the pair of spots closest to the head may not be present at times. The female pregenital sternite has the posterior margin angularly produced about one-third the length of the segment. The male genital plates are triangular and elongated, with the apices narrow and attenuate. Adults are 3.5-4.0 mm long. (DeLong 1978) For images of this species, see: 3I. | This species has been recently recorded from several counties across the state, where it is rare, but possibly more widespread in the right habitat. | Has been recorded in the state in mixed to open forest habitat. | |||||||||
| Aligia modesta | Fulvous overall, with a pair of tawny spots near the apex of the vertex and a pair of oblique marks inside the basal angles. The pronotum is faintly irrorate with tawny color. The elytra are white, subhyaline, and tinted with reddish-fulvous, interrupted by two pale transverse bands. There is an indefinite basal band and a narrow definite one across the second cross nervature. The male subgenital plates are long and spoon shaped. The female pregenital sternite is truncate, with a broad, slightly rounded median projection. Adults are 4.5-5.5 mm long. (DeLong, 1948) For more images of this species, see: BG. | Uncommon, recorded from a few counties in the Piedmont and mountains; likely more abundant in the right habitat. | Cutover areas where oak shrubs grow (DeLong, 1948) | Oak (DeLong, 1948) | ||||||||
| Aligia meridiana | An orange, brownish species with two pale bands and two darker brown orange-brown bands on the wings. Adult males are 4.5 mm, while females are 5.5 mm. The vertex, pronotum, and scutellum are yellow-brown to orange, and the face and clypeus are yellow. The vertex is rounded, almost parallel-margined, and is about three times as wide between the eyes as the length in the middle. The tegmen of the female is semihyaline to white, with two reddish-brown crossbands that are separated by a light band about as wide as either. The males are similar, except that the anterior band covers the entire basal half of the tegmen. The wing veins for both sexes are always tawny, and the apical cells of the wings are typically infuscated. The male pygofer is broad, but truncate at the apex. (Hepner, 1939) The pregenital sternite is broadly rounded, with a slightly protruding median tooth; the median part at least is embrowned. For more images of this species, see: BG. | Uncommon, recorded from several counties in the Piedmont; likely more abundant in the right habitat. | Has been found near mixed hardwood forest edge. Noted from scrub oak/pitch pine barrens in New England (Chandler & Hamilton, 2017). | Oak and pitch pine (Chandler & Hamilton, 2017) | ||||||||
| Sikaiana harti | An unusual yet distinctive species, it has pale white wings with many dark, black spots across them. The wings greatly exceed the length of the abdomen. The frons/face is very compressed, and the antennae lack additional appendages. The head only slightly projects in front of the eyes. Small and very fragile. For images of this species, see BG. | Recorded from a few counties across the state; scarce and rare. | Derbidae are known or assumed to feed on fungal hyphae as immatures (UDEL). | |||||||||
| 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) | |||||||||
| sciName | description | abundance | habitat | food | ||||||||
| Telamona tarda | This species has a rather narrow, almost horn-like pronotum which is very atypical for Telamona. Females have narrower, higher pronotal crests than males, whose crest has a much wider, triangular shaped base. This species is greenish-brown, with the crest usually a slightly darker coloration, and there tends to be scattered white speckling across the pronotum. For more pics of this species, see: BG. | Rare, a single record from the mountains but likely more abundant, just undetected. | Unknown | |||||||||
| Stictocephala terminalis | A green species with many pale spots scattered all over the pronotum. The horns are prominent but not overly large and may have a dark edge to them. The legs are green. The nymph is typical for this genus, see above. Adults are around 7.5 mm long. | Recorded from the mountains and Piedmont. | ||||||||||
| Graminella plana | A pale yellowish-orange species with four small but prominent black dots on the anterior margin of the vertex; the ocelli are also black, giving the impression of two more dots. The vertex is bluntly angled, one-fourth wider between the eyes than the median length. The face is pale, concolorous with the vertex. The wings are yellowish-orange with pale venation. The female pregenital sternite has short lateral margins, with rounded lobes on either side of a broad, sunken, truncated or slightly produced portion in the middle of the segment that is embrowned. The male subgenital plates are short and broad, with broad apices that are bluntly rounded. Adults are around 3.5-4.0 mm long. (DeLong & Mohr 1937) Nymphs are pale with two bold longitudinal lines running from the tip of the vertex to the tip of the abdomen. They have spots along the margin of the characteristic, characteristic of the adults. For additional images of this species, see: BG. | Recorded from several counties across the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, likely more abundant in the right habitat. | Has been found near mixed hardwood forest and in grassy areas. | |||||||||
| Stictocephala taurina | A green species with many pale spots scattered all over the pronotum. The horns are prominent but not overly large and may have a dark edge to them. The legs are green. The nymph is typical for this genus, see above. Adults are 7.5 mm long (BG). | Seasonal distribution: 19 June-18 September (CTNC) | Helianthus sp., Rubus sp., Sambucus canadensis, Smilax sp. (CTNC) | |||||||||
| 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) | ||||||||
| sciName | description | abundance | habitat | food | ||||||||
| 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) | ||||||||