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

Paraphlepsius irroratus - Bespeckled Leafhopper

Paraphlepsius irroratus
© Kyle Kittelberger- note elongated shape		Paraphlepsius irroratus
© John Rosenfeld- note slender body		Paraphlepsius irroratus
© John Rosenfeld- note head shape		Paraphlepsius irroratus
© Kyle Kittelberger- female (L) & male (R)
Taxonomy
Family: CICADELLIDAESubfamily: DeltocephalinaeTribe: PendariniSubgenus: Sabix
Taxonomic Author: (Say, 1830)
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF  iNaturalist  Google                                                                                  
Description: A slender, highly mottled leafhopper; the slenderness can help separate this species from most others in this genus. The wings, thorax, and head are densely reticulated, and this species is usually dark in color overall. Both the male and female have distinctive abdominal tips- the male's subgenital plates have concave lateral margins and finger-like, elongate tips. The female pregenital sternite is tridentate (3 sharp spines at the base of the ovipositor) with an M-shaped excavation. Males are 5.0-5.8 mm long, while females are 5.8-6.7 mm. (Hamilton 1975)

For diagrams of this species, see: 3I.

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: An extremely common and widespread species in Eastern North America, ranging south of the boreal forest and west to the edge of the Rocky Mountains and Southwestern region. (Hamilton 1975)
Abundance: A common species, recorded across the state in all three regions.
Seasonal Occurrence
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Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Mixed hardwood forest, forest edge, open woodlands, grassy areas, etc.
Plant Associates: Glycine max, Medicago, etc. Has also been found feeding on apple, clover, sugar beets, legumes, cotton, wheat, rose, and cherry trees (Hamilton 1975). For a list of more plants this species has been collected from, see: DL.
Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a light.
Comment: The most common member of this genus, and said to be the one most frequently encountered.

NOTE: Paraphlepsius is a challenging genus to identify, with a majority of the species requiring underside views of the pregenital sternite or male subgenital plates to allow for an identification; even then, an ID may not be possible. It is important to obtain clear, detailed images of the underside; length measurements can help as well.

Status: Native
Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Paraphlepsius irroratus Bespeckled Leafhopper 35

Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Marilyn Westphal, Nora Murdock
Henderson Co.
Comment: Cold but mostly sunny, temp about 45. 		Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Marilyn Westphal, Nora Murdock
Henderson Co.
Comment: Cold but mostly sunny, temp about 45.
Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Marilyn Westphal, Nora Murdock
Henderson Co.
Comment: Jumped onto beat sheet		Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Marilyn Westphal, Nora Murdock
Henderson Co.
Comment: Jumped onto beat sheet
Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Marilyn Westphal, Nora Murdock
Henderson Co.
Comment: Jumped onto beat sheet		Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: male, 6.8 mm
Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: male, 6.8 mm		Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: male,
Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Bo Sullivan
Ashe Co.
Comment: male, 6.0 mm		Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Bo Sullivan
Ashe Co.
Comment: female, 6.8 mm
Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Bo Sullivan
Ashe Co.
Comment: male; 5.8 mm		Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Bo Sullivan
Ashe Co.
Comment: male; 5.8 mm
Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Bo Sullivan
Ashe Co.
Comment: male; 5.8 mm		Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Bo Sullivan
Ashe Co.
Comment: male; 5.8 mm
Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Bo Sullivan
Ashe Co.
Comment: male; 5.8 mm		Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Bo Sullivan
Ashe Co.
Comment: male; 5.8 mm
Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Bo Sullivan
Ashe Co.
Comment: male; 5.8 mm		Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Bo Sullivan
Ashe Co.
Comment: male; 5.8 mm
Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Bo Sullivan
Ashe Co.
Comment: female; 6.0 mm		Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Bo Sullivan
Ashe Co.
Comment: female; 6.0 mm
Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Bo Sullivan
Ashe Co.
Comment: female; 6.0 mm		Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Bo Sullivan
Ashe Co.
Comment: female; 6.0 mm
Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Bo Sullivan
Ashe Co.
Comment: female; 6.0 mm		Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: John Rosenfeld
Out Of State Co.
Comment: female
Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: John Rosenfeld
Out Of State Co.
Comment: female		Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: John Rosenfeld
Out Of State Co.
Comment: female
Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 5.7 mm male		Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 5.7 mm male
Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Kyle Kittelberger
Out Of State Co.
Comment: NCSU specimens		Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Kyle Kittelberger
Out Of State Co.
Comment: NCSU specimens
Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: mixed hardwood forest habitat		Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
Surry Co.
Comment: grassy, brushy habitat near forest edge
Paraphlepsius irroratusPhoto by: Paul Scharf
Warren Co.
Comment: Caught Sweeping