Hoppers of North Carolina

Hoppers of North Carolina:
Spittlebugs, Leafhoppers, Treehoppers, and Planthoppers

Family (Alpha):

APHROPHORIDAE Members:	NC Records
Aphrophora quadrinotata - Four-spotted Spittlebug

Taxonomy

Family: APHROPHORIDAE

Identification

Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF iNaturalist Google
Description: A brownish species with four white/pale "spots" on the wings, two on each side, and black markings over the body, especially between the spots (forming a blackish "V"). The wings are evenly curved at the tips, more so than other members of Aphrophora, and are widest at the midlength. The wings are also heavily pitted, characteristic of members of this genus. The top of the head is relatively flat. Adult males are 6.1-8.0 mm long, females are 6.8-9.1 mm. (Hamilton, 1982) Nymphs are yellow and brown. BugGuide

Distribution in North Carolina

County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.

Out of State Record(s)

Distribution: A common understory species recorded across the eastern U.S., with records as far north as Canada and as far west as Texas, per BugGuide.

Abundance: Recorded across the state, with a majority of records in the mountains where it is uncommon. Possibly more abundant in the right habitat.

Seasonal Occurrence

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Eastern woodlands

Plant Associates: Polyphagous, nymphs recorded from forbs (any broad-leafed herb), such as goldenrod, grape vines (Vitis sp.), grasses; also alder (Alnus sp.), blackberry (Rubus hispidus), oaks (Quercus sp.), poplar (Populus sp.), etc. (DL), (Hamilton, 1982). However, this species primarily tends to be on woody plants (V. Thompson, pers. comment).

Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a light.

Comment: In the Northeast, this species closely resembles the European Alder Spittlebug (A. alni), which can be told apart by its larger size (males are 8.4-9.6 mm, females 9.0-10.0 mm), thick blunt head and the forewings being strongly curved near the base (Hamilton, 1982). Perhaps in the future, A. alni will be found in the Appalachians; it is currently spreading westwards across the Northeast, recorded as far south as Pennsylvania.

Status: Native

Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Aphrophora quadrinotata Four-spotted Spittlebug
	Photo by: B. Bockhahn Macon Co. Comment:	Photo by: Ken Kneidel Watauga Co. Comment: came to UV light and sheet at night
	Photo by: Ken Kneidel Watauga Co. Comment: came to UV light and sheet at night	Photo by: K. Bischof Transylvania Co. Comment: GORG
	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Watauga Co. Comment:	Photo by: Ted Wilcox Watauga Co. Comment: unid_spittlebug
	Photo by: Ted Wilcox Watauga Co. Comment: unid_spittlebug	Photo by: Ted Wilcox Watauga Co. Comment: unid_spittlebug
	Photo by: Ted Wilcox Watauga Co. Comment:	Photo by: Ted Wilcox Watauga Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Ted Wilcox Watauga Co. Comment: unid_leafhopper	Photo by: Ted Wilcox Watauga Co. Comment: unid_leafhopper
	Photo by: Ted Wilcox Watauga Co. Comment: unid_spittlebug	Photo by: Ted Wilcox Watauga Co. Comment: unid_spittlebug
	Photo by: K. Bischof Transylvania Co. Comment: GORG	Photo by: Ted Wilcox Watauga Co. Comment: unid_spittlebug
	Photo by: Ted Wilcox Watauga Co. Comment: unid_spittlebug	Photo by: Ted Wilcox Watauga Co. Comment: unid_spittlebug
	Photo by: Ted Wilcox Watauga Co. Comment: unid_spittlebug	Photo by: Ted Wilcox Watauga Co. Comment: unid_spittlebug
	Photo by: Ted Wilcox Watauga Co. Comment: unid_spittlebug	Photo by: Ted Wilcox Watauga Co. Comment: unid_leafhopper
	Photo by: Ted Wilcox Watauga Co. Comment: unid_leafhopper	Photo by: Ted Wilcox Watauga Co. Comment: unid_leafhopper
	Photo by: Ted Wilcox Watauga Co. Comment: unid_leafhopper	Photo by: Ted Wilcox Watauga Co. Comment: unid_leafhopper
	Photo by: Ted Wilcox Watauga Co. Comment: unid_leafhopper	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment:	Photo by: Ted Wilcox Watauga Co. Comment: unid_leafhopper
	Photo by: Ted Wilcox Watauga Co. Comment: unid_leafhopper	Photo by: Erich Hofmann Buncombe Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Erich Hofmann Buncombe Co. Comment:	Photo by: Vin Stanton Buncombe Co. Comment: Semi-wooded residential neighborhood
	Photo by: Jim Petranka Madison Co. Comment:	Photo by: Ken Kneidel Yancey Co. Comment: mixed forest, 6000 ft elevation
	Photo by: Vin Stanton Buncombe Co. Comment: semi wooded residential neighborhood	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Out Of State Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Out Of State Co. Comment:	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Out Of State Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Avery Co. Comment: grassy, brushy habitat and forest edge/interior	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Avery Co. Comment: grassy, brushy habitat and forest edge/interior
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Avery Co. Comment: grassy, brushy habitat and forest edge/interior; nymph	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Avery Co. Comment: grassy, brushy habitat and forest edge/interior
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Avery Co. Comment: open area near mixed hardwood forest	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Avery Co. Comment: open area near mixed hardwood forest
	Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Caught sweeping	Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Caught sweeping

Aphrophora quadrinotata - Four-spotted Spittlebug

Species Photo Gallery for Aphrophora quadrinotata Four-spotted Spittlebug