Hoppers of North Carolina

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

Family (Alpha):

CICADELLIDAE Members:	NC Records
Stirellus bicolor - No Common Name

Taxonomy

Family: CICADELLIDAE	Subfamily: Deltocephalinae
Taxonomic Author: (Van Duzee)

Identification

Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF iNaturalist Google
Description: 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.

Distribution in North Carolina

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

Distribution: Common and widespread in eastern and central North America, ranging south to Brazil (BG).

Abundance: 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.

Seasonal Occurrence

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

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Grassy, brushy areas such as fields; also forest edge and open forest.

Plant Associates: A general grass feeder, including Andropogon spp. (bluestem and broomsedge) (BG).

Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a light.

Comment: The two main color forms, "summer" and "winter", were once considered to be separate species, S. bicolor and S. obtusus. The "winter" form occurs during the cooler temperatures of the spring and late fall, or if the summer is relatively cool. The "summer", iridescent form occurs during the higher temperatures of summer and early fall. The bright colors are a result of higher temperatures and longer day lengths. This is typically one of the brightest leafhoppers in the summertime. (BG)

Status: Native

Global and State Rank:

See also Habitat Account for General Successional and Semi-Natural Grasslands

Species Photo Gallery for Stirellus bicolor No Common Name
	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Caught sweeping in grassy field.	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Caught sweeping in grassy field.
	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Iredell Co. Comment: Caught sweeping. Grassy field.	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Caught sweeping in weedy field.
	Photo by: Ted Wilcox Watauga Co. Comment: unid_leafhopper	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/61972669
	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/61972669	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/55556908
	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/55446143	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/55446143
	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/55446145	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/55446145
	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/55446153	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/55446153
	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Caught sweeping in weedy field near woods.	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/39546477
	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/39546477	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/39546477
	Photo by: Ken Kneidel Union Co. Comment: sweep of low vegetation at woodland edge	Photo by: Ken Kneidel Mecklenburg Co. Comment: sweep of low vegetation
	Photo by: Ken Kneidel Mecklenburg Co. Comment: sweep of low vegetation	Photo by: Ken Kneidel Mecklenburg Co. Comment: sweep of low vegetation
	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/34041636	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/34041636
	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/34041636	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/31319220
	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/29673662 - unid_leafhopper	Photo by: Ken Kneidel Mecklenburg Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Dark "southern" form. Caught sweeping. Grassy, weedy area near hardwoods.	Photo by: F. Williams, S. Williams Gates Co. Comment: MEMI
	Photo by: F. Williams, S. Williams Gates Co. Comment: MEMI	Photo by: Ken Kneidel Mecklenburg Co. Comment: 3mm
	Photo by: Ken Kneidel Mecklenburg Co. Comment: 3mm	Photo by: Ken Kneidel Mecklenburg Co. Comment: 3 mm, caught during vegetation sweep around wet retention area
	Photo by: Ken Kneidel Mecklenburg Co. Comment: 3 mm, caught during vegetation sweep around wet retention area	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Weedy/grassy open area. Caught sweeping.
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Cumberland Co. Comment: female	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Cumberland Co. Comment: female
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Cumberland Co. Comment: female	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Vance Co. Comment: mostly brushy vegetation consisting of willows, etc., on shore of lake; some grass as well; some brown forms
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Vance Co. Comment: mostly brushy vegetation consisting of willows, etc., on shore of lake; some grass as well; some brown forms	Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: NYMPH, Caught sweeping
	Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: NYMPH, Caught sweeping	Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: NYNPH Caught sweeping
	Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Caught sweeping	Photo by: Paul Scharf Halifax Co. Comment: Caught sweeping
	Photo by: Paul Scharf Halifax Co. Comment: Caught sweeping	Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Winter Form, Caught sweeping in short early growth grass
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Wake Co. Comment: grassy and field-type habitat; this color form only occurs in the southern states	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Halifax Co. Comment: grassy, field type habitat near mixed hardwood forest
	Photo by: Paul Scharf, Brian Bockhahn Burke Co. Comment: Caught sweeping Winter Form	Photo by: Paul Scharf, Brian Bockhahn Burke Co. Comment: Caught sweeping Winter Form
	Photo by: Paul Scharf, Brian Bockhahn Burke Co. Comment: Caught sweeping Winter Form	Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Brown Morph, Caught sweeping in short early growth grass
	Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Brown Morph, Caught sweeping in short early growth grass	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Wake Co. Comment: grassy and field-type habitat; this color form only occurs in the southern states
	Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Common sweeping uncut & cut grass	Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Common sweeping uncut & cut grass
	Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Common sweeping both uncut & cut grass	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Rockingham Co. Comment: open forest habitat near pond

Stirellus bicolor - No Common Name

Species Photo Gallery for Stirellus bicolor No Common Name