Hoppers of North Carolina:
Spittlebugs, Leafhoppers, Treehoppers, and Planthoppers
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CICADELLIDAE Members: NC Records

Paraphlepsius continuus - No Common Name

Paraphlepsius continuus
© Kyle Kittelberger- note rounded head margin		Paraphlepsius continuus
© Kyle Kittelberger- note rounded head		Paraphlepsius continuus
© Rob Van Epps- note color and pattern		Paraphlepsius continuus
Note male subgenital plates (L) & female
pregenital sternite (R)
Taxonomy
Family: CICADELLIDAESubfamily: DeltocephalinaeTribe: PendariniSubgenus: Gamarex
Taxonomic Author: (DeLong, 1938)
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF  iNaturalist  Google                                                                                  
Description: A medium-sized, brownish leafhopper. This species has a rounded head margin, not sharply angled towards the face, and the head itself is rounded without a noticeable point. The wings, pronotum, and head are mostly orange to brown in color with small white dots across the body; the wings are densely reticulate. The female pregenital sternite has rounded lateral lobes and a notch in the middle of the posterior margin, causing the margin to resemble a } in shape; there is a small dark border on the sides of the projection. The male subgenital plates are long and triangular. Adult males are 5.5-6.2 mm long, while females are 5.6-7.1 mm. (Hamilton 1975)

For diagrams of this species, see: Dmitriev.

Distribution in North Carolina
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Distribution: Eastern North America, particularly the Southeast and southern Great Plains, north in southern Canada and south to southern Mexico; also recorded from Cuba and Jamaica. (RGPP)
Abundance: Somewhat common, recorded across the Piedmont and Coastal Plain; likely more abundant in the right habitat.
Seasonal Occurrence
Jan
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Mar
Apr
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Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Has been found in grassy areas, as well as in or near mixed hardwood forest.
Plant Associates: Sedges (BG)
Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a light.
Comment: NOTE: This species closely resembles P. fuscipennis and is a member of the "continuus group." However, P. fuscipennis is found only in saltwater marsh habitat along the coast and in most instances individuals that resemble the "continuus group" can be assumed to be P. continuus. Additionally, fuscipennis has a slightly produced head, whereas continuus has a completely evenly rounded head. In coastal areas, it would be good to obtain underside pictures of the genitalic features, as well as length measurements.

This species also is closely related to P. abruptus and likewise is a member of the "continuus" group within the subgenus Gamarex. There may be a slight difference between the two species in the shape of the head (in abruptus, the head is slightly produced but rounded, whereas in continuus the head is fairly rounded), and slight differences in the measurements. P. abruptus can at this point likely only be reliably differentiated with an underside picture of the female or dissection of the male genitalia; the males of each species have very slight but distinctive differences in otherwise very similar genitalia.

Status: Native
Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Paraphlepsius continuus No Common Name

Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: Caught sweeping in weedy field.		Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: Caught sweeping in weedy field.
Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: Caught sweeping in weedy field.		Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Bo Sullivan
Moore Co.
Comment: female, 6.8 mm
Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Bo Sullivan
Moore Co.
Comment: female, 6.8 mm		Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Bo Sullivan
Moore Co.
Comment: female, 6.8 mm
Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Bo Sullivan
Moore Co.
Comment: female, 6.8 mm		Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Bo Sullivan
Moore Co.
Comment: female, 6.8 mm
Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Bo Sullivan
Moore Co.
Comment: female, 6.8 mm		Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: female, 6.3 mm; additional pics by K. Kittelberger (specimen darkened over time)
Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: female, 6.3 mm; additional pics by K. Kittelberger (specimen darkened over time)		Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: female, 6.3 mm; additional pics by K. Kittelberger (specimen darkened over time)
Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: female, 6.3 mm		Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: female, 6.3 mm
Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: female, 6.3 mm		Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: female, 6.3 mm
Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Rob Van Epps
Iredell Co.
Comment: Caught sweeping in weedy/grassy field near hardwoods. 		Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 6.8 mm female, caught during sweep through low vegetation in retention basin
Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 6.8 mm female, caught during sweep through low vegetation in retention basin		Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 6.8 mm female, caught during sweep through low vegetation in retention basin
Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Rob Van Epps
Iredell Co.
Comment: Caught sweeping in weedy/grassy field near hardwoods. 		Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Rob Van Epps
Iredell Co.
Comment: Caught sweeping in weedy/grassy field near hardwoods.
Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Rob Van Epps
Iredell Co.
Comment: Caught sweeping in weedy/grassy field near hardwoods. 		Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Washington Co.
Comment: open forest habitat
Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Vance Co.
Comment: mixed hardwood forest, open forest, grassy patches		Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Vance Co.
Comment: mixed hardwood forest, open forest, grassy patches
Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Paul Scharf
Warren Co.
Comment: Attracted to Light
Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Paul Scharf, B Bockhahn
Stanly Co.
Comment: attracted to UV Light		Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Paul Scharf, B Bockhahn
Stanly Co.
Comment: attracted to UV Light
Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Washington Co.
Comment: open forest habitat; with P. apicata		Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Paul Scharf
Warren Co.
Comment: Attracted To Black Light
Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Paul Scharf
Warren Co.
Comment: Attracted To Black Light		Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Vance Co.
Comment: mixed hardwood forest, open forest, grassy patches
Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Orange Co.
Comment: grassy, fieldy habitat near two small ponds		Paraphlepsius continuusPhoto by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Orange Co.
Comment: grassy, fieldy habitat near two small ponds