Hoppers of North Carolina:
Spittlebugs, Leafhoppers, Treehoppers, and Planthoppers
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   Sole representative of CERCOPIDAE in NC
NC Records

Prosapia bicincta - Two-lined Spittlebug

Prosapia bicincta
© Mark Shields		Prosapia bicincta
© Ken Childs		Prosapia bicincta
© Woodworker- 'probable' black form		Prosapia bicincta
© Margarita Lankford- nymph
Taxonomy
Family: CERCOPIDAE
Taxonomic Author: (Say, 1830)
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF  iNaturalist  Google                                                                                  
Description: A distinctive species, adults are black with two orange lines crossing the wings and have red eyes, reddish legs, and a reddish underside. However, some adults can be completely black on top, lacking any lines across the wings: Black Form. This seems to be a feature mostly among individuals of the Northeast and other parts of the country and has only been recorded recently (probable record) once in North Carolina; very uncommon to rare form in this state. Adults are 8-10 mm in length BG.

Nymphs are somewhat bicolored, with a brownish thorax and head contrasting with the yellow abdomen. The sides of the abdomen on the underside can have a reddish tint. While the first four instars are this coloration, the fifth instar is a much darker brown coloration. Spittle masses are found on plant stems, often times at the soil line. For a nice visualization of the life stage of this species, see: BIISC.

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: Widespread and abundant throughout eastern and central North America. BG
Abundance: Common and widespread across the state, recorded from the mountains to the coastal plain.
Seasonal Occurrence
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Found in a variety of habitats, ranging from mixed hardwood forests to grassy, field-type areas. A generalist species.
Plant Associates: Nymphs feed on centipedegrass, bermudagrass and other grasses, including occasionally corn. Adults feed on hollies, foraging on the underside of leaves- damage shows up as pale mottling not usually visible from above BG. This species has also been associated with Asimina, Ilex, Cucurbita, Glycine, Trifolium, and Eremochioa ophiuroides (DL). It is an important pest of turfgrass, particularly centipedegrass (UGA). This species injects toxins into turfgrass, causing the affected grass blades to turn yellow and then rown or purple; eventually, the grass can die (UGA). Adults do more damage than nymphs (UGA).
Behavior: As the name suggests, these insects produce spittle, which the nymphs use to protect themselves. The spittle is produced from juices that the nymphs suck from the plant. Adults, if disturbed, can exude a smelly chemical defense. BG
Comment: The Two-lined Spittlebug can go through irruption years, becoming very abundant. When this happens, large numbers of the spittlebugs can be found in a single location. This species can also be attracted to black lights, mercury vapor lights, and other light sources and, if enough spittlebugs arrive, they can form large mating masses.
Status: Native
Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Prosapia bicincta Two-lined Spittlebug

Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: B. Bockhahn
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Xander Sherry
Union Co.
Comment: On hose siding
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Xander Sherry
Union Co.
Comment: On hose siding		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: uncovered while pulling grass from my garden
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: uncovered while pulling grass from my garden 		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: uncovered while pulling grass from my garden
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: uncovered while pulling grass from my garden 		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Mark Basinger
Brunswick Co.
Comment: Attracted to front porch light 		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Mark Basinger
Wilson Co.
Comment: Attracted to front porch light
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_spittlebug		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/172437464
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_spittlebug		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_spittlebug
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: R. Newman
Carteret Co.
Comment: FOMA		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: on blackberry, Rubus sp.
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Erich Hofmann, David George, Rich Teper, Jeff Niznik
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Hunter Phillips
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/132079726		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: John Petranka
Orange Co.
Comment: New Hope Creek Biodiversity Survey (2021-2022)
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: B. Bockhahn
Durham Co.
Comment: New Hope Creek Biodiversity Survey (2021-2022)		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: John Petranka
Orange Co.
Comment: New Hope Creek Biodiversity Survey
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/96838008		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Erich Hofmann
Columbus Co.
Comment:
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Lior Carlson
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/93533400
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/91799633		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/82772670
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: J. Mickey
Wilkes Co.
Comment: STMO		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/66152900
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/66152900		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Erich Hofmann
New Hanover Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/65294144
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/63045646		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/61507662
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/59980148		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Sara Meissner
Pender Co.
Comment: Teneral, just emerged from its spittle "nest", appearing almost without pigment.
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/59980148		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/59980148
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/59980148		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/59980148
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/59980148		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Cindy Darnell
Durham Co.
Comment: Nymph was encased in spittle along with two other individuals.
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Cindy Darnell
Durham Co.
Comment: Nymph was encased in spittle along with two other individuals.		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Cindy Darnell
Durham Co.
Comment: Nymph was encased in spittle. There were multiple spittle nests containing 1-2 nymphs of various instars.
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Cindy Darnell
Durham Co.
Comment: Nymph was encased in spittle. There were multiple spittle nests containing 1-2 nymphs of various instars.		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Cindy Darnell
Durham Co.
Comment: Nymph was encased in spittle. There were multiple spittle nests containing 1-2 nymphs of various instars.
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Cindy Darnell
Durham Co.
Comment: Nymph was encased in spittle. There were multiple spittle nests containing 1-2 nymphs of various instars.		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Cindy Darnell
Durham Co.
Comment: Nymph was encased in spittle. There were multiple spittle nests containing 1-2 nymphs of various instars.
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Cindy Darnell
Durham Co.
Comment: Nymph was encased in spittle. There were multiple spittle nests containing 1-2 nymphs of various instars.		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Cindy Darnell
Durham Co.
Comment: Nymph was encased in spittle. There were multiple spittle nests containing 1-2 nymphs of various instars.
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Cindy Darnell
Durham Co.
Comment: Nymph was encased in spittle. There were multiple spittle nests containing 1-2 nymphs of various instars.		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Cindy Darnell
Durham Co.
Comment: Nymph was encased in spittle. There were multiple spittle nests containing 1-2 nymphs of various instars.
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Cindy Darnell
Durham Co.
Comment: Nymph was encased in spittle along with two other individuals.		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Cindy Darnell
Durham Co.
Comment: Newly emerged adult was associated with spittle though not completely covered.
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/58376976		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/57782667
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/57782684		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/57782687
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/57782693		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/57489829
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/57489835		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Erich Hofmann
New Hanover Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/56116093
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/56087034		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Simpson Eason
Durham Co.
Comment:
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/55853898		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Ken Kneidel
Burke Co.
Comment:
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54451482		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54210937
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Swain Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/52625384		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Sara Meissner
Pender Co.
Comment: Teneral, just emerged from its spittle "nest", appearing almost without pigment.
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Sara Meissner
Pender Co.
Comment: Teneral, just emerged from its spittle "nest", appearing almost without pigment.		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Sara Meissner
Pender Co.
Comment: Teneral, just emerged from its spittle "nest", appearing almost without pigment.
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Sara Meissner
Pender Co.
Comment: Teneral, just emerged from its spittle "nest", appearing almost without pigment.		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Mark Shields
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/49389580		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/49389580
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/48294849		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf, Patrick Coin
Halifax Co.
Comment: grassy area and mixed hardwood forest edge near pine forest; large number of individuals congregating, many of which formed mating masses
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/32660713		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/32233795
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/32233795		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/31181170
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/31017970		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/31017970
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Mark Shields
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Jim Petranka
Madison Co.
Comment:
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/28376535		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/28376535
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/28327149		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Owen McConnell
Graham Co.
Comment: Attracted to cabin lights, resting on wood near lighted window
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Vin Stanton
Haywood Co.
Comment: 		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: vin stanton
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Hunter Phillips, Cathy Songer
Wayne Co.
Comment: 		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: J. A. Anderson
Surry Co.
Comment: PIMO
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: L. Amos
Warren Co.
Comment: KELA		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: J. Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: K. Bischof
Beaufort Co.
Comment: GOCR
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: J. Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: R. Preston
Chatham Co.
Comment: JORD
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: J. Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: J. Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: K. Bischof
Beaufort Co.
Comment: GOCR - Obs. at ranger 2\'s residence.		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: K. Bischof
Beaufort Co.
Comment: GOCR - Obs. at ranger 2\'s residence.
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Amanda Auxier
Pender Co.
Comment: Attracted to white CFL porch light in semi-wooded residential area.		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment: unid_planthopper
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Randy L Emmitt
Orange Co.
Comment: I usually see one, 6 tonight!		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: Weedy area near hardwood forest edge.
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: R Emmitt
Orange Co.
Comment: on back door of house.		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by:
Alleghany Co.
Comment: black form, tentative but probable ID
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: E. Corey, K. Futch, J. Shimel
New Hanover Co.
Comment: CABE		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Newman, Randy
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Ken Childs
Out Of State Co.
Comment: 		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf, Patrick Coin
Halifax Co.
Comment: grassy area and mixed hardwood forest edge near pine forest; large number of individuals congregating, many of which formed mating masses
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf, Patrick Coin
Halifax Co.
Comment: grassy area and mixed hardwood forest edge near pine forest; large number of individuals congregating, many of which formed mating masses		Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Paul Scharf
Warren Co.
Comment: Common almost anywhere sweeping. Also attracted to Black Lights
Prosapia bicinctaPhoto by: Paul Scharf
Warren Co.
Comment: Common during sweeps and at black light at night