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

Jikradia olitoria - No Common Name



© Kyle Kittelberger- typical coloration

© Aubrey Wiggins- boldly marked individual

© Kyle Kittelberger- variation

© Kyle Kittelberger- nymph, note shape
Taxonomy
Family: CICADELLIDAESubfamily: CoelidiinaeSynonym: Coelidia olitoria, Jikradia floridana
Taxonomic Author: Say 1830
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF  iNaturalist                                                                                  
Description: A highly variable species with a variety of color forms. Some adults have one or two pale transverse bands on the wings, varying in boldness among individuals, while other individuals are bandless and have solid-colored wings. The wing color itself varies from yellow to orange to green to dark brown to almost black. Females tend to have the bands while males tend to lack bands and be darker overall, but there is a lot of variation among individuals of the same sex and females can be dark and lack bands and vice versa with males. The male subgenital plates are long and narrow. The female pregenital sternite is [typically] strongly produced with a convex, rounded posterior margin with a noticeable slit in the middle. Adults are typically 5.5-7.5 mm long. (DeLong 1948)

Nymphs are highly variable in coloration as well, but have extremely long hind legs and a narrow head.

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: Common and widespread in eastern and central North America
Abundance: A fairly common and widespread species, found from mountains to coast.
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, such as mixed hardwood forest, open woodland, forest edge, grassy areas, etc.
Plant Associates: Polyphagous. Common on oak, sassafras, and similar vegetation (DeLong 1948); also reported from grape, corn, shrubs, apple, hawthorn, peach, willow, ash, etc. (Chandler & Hamilton, 2017). C. o. olitoria is a vector of the disease, strawberry pallidosis (BG).
Behavior: Can be attracted at night with lights.
Comment:

NOTE: This species is somewhat of a slight taxonomic nightmare. The status of the subspecies and various synonyms under J. olitoria have fluctuated greatly over the past several decades. Nielson (1979) showed that all the different color forms, originally thought to represent different species, instead were all the same species with the same male genitalia, and he therefore synonymized some 'species' such as semifasciata under J. olitoria while labeling floridana a subspecies, along with J. o. olitoria and J. o. borealis. However, Nielson et al. 2014 recently reinstated floridana as a distinct species separate from olitoria, but it is not clear why this is the case and what characteristics were used to separate the two species; Nielson makes no note of why floridana was reinstated, and does not even include floridana in his revised key to species in the genus. C. Dietrich notes that males and females differ in coloration in the genus and there seems to be a great deal of variation in color pattern within one sex.

The matter is further complicated by the fact that floridana was originally thought to be restricted to Florida, but in the last decade BugGuide users have submitted photos of floridana-like individuals across the entire range of J. olitoria. For example, BugGuide contributors began finding floridana-like individuals in GA and SC (2005), VA (2006), AL, OK, and MD (2007), PA (2011), and IA and WI (2010); and since 2010 it has been recorded elsewhere. That is quite the range expansion for a hopper in such a short period of time, and while climate change could be causing floridana to move northwards, many of these individuals are likely just examples of the extreme variation that occurs in olitoria.

As a result, distinguishing members of this genus into subspecies is a futile effort when there is such an array of variation as well as intermediate forms. Recent DNA barcoding by J. Kitts further supports this approach. While previous barcoding in J. olitoria indicated that there were several potential cryptic subspecies, more advanced and next-generation sequencing machines have indicated that these barcoding differences are an artifact of the barcodes themselves, as more than one barcode sequence was being reported for the same individual. This is further evidence that J. olitoria is a single highly variable species, rather than a species composing of clusters of subspecies.

Therefore, until a proper revision of the genus is published, everything should be placed under J. olitoria, including floridana, and we can for now refer to J. olitoria as a species with a great deal of variation in both color and pattern. See here for many examples of the variation within J. olitoria in both adults and nymphs: BG.

Status: Native
Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Jikradia olitoria No Common Name

Photo by: R. Newman
Carteret Co.
Comment: FOMA
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper
Photo by: K. Bischof
Transylvania Co.
Comment: GORG
Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Iredell Co.
Comment: Caught sweeping.
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: Erich Hofmann
Columbus Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Avery Co.
Comment: This was Avery County not Watauga. I mistakenly selected Watauga the first time - unid_leafhopper
Photo by: Brian bockhahn
Stokes Co.
Comment:
Photo by: R. Newman
Carteret Co.
Comment: FOMA
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/126533103
Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Yadkin Co.
Comment:
Photo by: John Petranka
Orange Co.
Comment: New Hope Creek Biodiversity Survey (2021-2022)
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/126130808
Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Bladen Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/124328535
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/124328533
Photo by: Tracy S. Feldman
Durham Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Tracy S. Feldman
Durham Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/122597924
Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/120084454
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/120084460
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Guilford Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/118279898
Photo by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther
Bladen Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/116495117
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/116495096
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/114948440
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Ashe Co.
Comment: female, 7.0 mm
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Ashe Co.
Comment: female, 7.0 mm
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Ashe Co.
Comment: female, 7.0 mm
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Ashe Co.
Comment: female, 7.0 mm
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Ashe Co.
Comment: female, 7.0 mm
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Ashe Co.
Comment: female, 7.0 mm
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Moore Co.
Comment: female, 7.0 mm
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Moore Co.
Comment: female, 7.0 mm
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Moore Co.
Comment: 7.0 mm
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Moore Co.
Comment: 7.0 mm
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Moore Co.
Comment: 7.0 mm
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Yancey Co.
Comment:
Photo by: John Petranka
Orange Co.
Comment: New Hope Creek Biodiversity Survey (2021-22)
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/93888781
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/93888781
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/93533411
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/92824801
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/92824801
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/91569709
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/81123504
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/80944262
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/80308385
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/80044006
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/78920676
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/78920684
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/78418073
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/78418091
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/76291800
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/76291798
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/76291798
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 7 mm female, stuck on a tree band on Willow Oak
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 7 mm female, stuck on a tree band on Willow Oak
Photo by: Jim Petranka
Madison Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Jim Petranka
Madison Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/60243533
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: sitting on vegetation late morning in prairie restoration area
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/58056049
Photo by: Vin Stanton
Buncombe Co.
Comment: semi-wooded residential neighborhood
Photo by: Vin Stanton
Buncombe Co.
Comment: semi-wooded residential neighborhood
Photo by: Erich Hofmann
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: Hardwood edge.
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Burke Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54073288
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Swain Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/53007347
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Swain Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/53007346
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Swain Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/52528496
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Swain Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/52211862
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Swain Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/51953297
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Swain Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/51825108
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Swain Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/51734902
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/49981062
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/49389581
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/48937343
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/48937345
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/48492401
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/48274280
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/48274280
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/48274280
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/48048304
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/48064057
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/48064070
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/48064055
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/46253890
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/45970058
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/45636829
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/45531769
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/45280735
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/45280735
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/45280735
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/44484373
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/43963004
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/43728820
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/43373679
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/43373679
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/43116014
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/43116014
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/42811262
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/42431333
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/42431333
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Ashe Co.
Comment: 3200'
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Ashe Co.
Comment: 3200'
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Ashe Co.
Comment: 3200'
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Ashe Co.
Comment: 3200\'
Photo by: Vin Stanton
Buncombe Co.
Comment: semi-wooded residential neighborhood
Photo by: Vin Stanton
Buncombe Co.
Comment: semi-wooded residential neighborhood
Photo by: Vin Stanton
Buncombe Co.
Comment: semi-wooded residential neighborhood
Photo by: Matthew Guilin
Cabarrus Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/31090206
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/31090206
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/31090206
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/31090205
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/29673661
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/29030077
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/29030077
Photo by: Mark Shields
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/28530472
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/28530472
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/28477226
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/28477226
Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: Caught sweeping in weedy field near woodland.
Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: Weeds near hardwoods.
Photo by: aubrey wiggins
Wake Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 4.4 mm
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 4.4 mm
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: female 7.5 mm, forest edge sitting on sign
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: female 7.5 mm, forest edge sitting on sign
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: female 7.5 mm, forest edge sitting on sign
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Yancey Co.
Comment: forest edge with small lawn and meadow nearby, female, 6.1 mm
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Yancey Co.
Comment: forest edge with small lawn and meadow nearby, female, 6.1 mm
Photo by: Randy Emmitt
Durham Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Randy Emmitt
Orange Co.
Comment: Very fast and flighty! Huge eys? - unid_planthopper
Photo by: Amanda Auxier
Pender Co.
Comment: unid_planthopper
Photo by: T. DeSantis
Durham Co.
Comment: ENRI
Photo by: FKW
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI
Photo by: F. Williams
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI
Photo by:
Guilford Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Rockingham Co.
Comment: this is the greener ssp., C. o. floridana
Photo by: Paul Scharf
Warren Co.
Comment: Nymph, Caught Sweeping
Photo by: Paul Scharf
Warren Co.
Comment: Spotted on plant
Photo by: Paul Scharf
Warren Co.
Comment: Spotted on plant
Photo by: Paul Scharf
Warren Co.
Comment: Spotted on Plant. C.o.floridana ssp., male
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Orange Co.
Comment: Mixed hardwood forest edge
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Orange Co.
Comment: Mixed hardwood forest edge. C.o.olitoria
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Orange Co.
Comment: Mixed hardwood forest edge. C.o.olitoria
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: mixed hardwood forest habitat; nymph
Photo by: T. DeSantis
Camden Co.
Comment: DISW - Parking Area
Photo by: Paul Scharf, Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Halifax Co.
Comment: Spotted on short caught grass; female
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: mixed hardwood forest habitat
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: mixed hardwood forest habitat
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: mixed hardwood forest habitat
Photo by: Paul Scharf, B. Bockhahn,C. Mitchell
Durham Co.
Comment: One Adult,Four Nymphs.Caught sweeping and attracted to UV Lights
Photo by: Paul Scharf, B. Bockhahn,C. Mitchell
Durham Co.
Comment: One Adult,Four Nymphs.Caught sweeping and attracted to UV Lights
Photo by: Paul Scharf, B Bockhahn
Stanly Co.
Comment: Nymph, One Adult and several nymphs caught sweeping. Unusual face markings on nymph
Photo by: Paul Scharf, B Bockhahn
Stanly Co.
Comment: Nymph, One Adult and several nymphs caught sweeping. Unusual face markings on nymph
Photo by: Harry Wilson
Wake Co.
Comment: male
Photo by: Harry Wilson
Wake Co.
Comment: male and female
Photo by: Paul Scharf, B Bockhahn
Stanly Co.
Comment: Caught sweeping. Several NYMPHS in area , this was the only pale one. Dr Hamilton's comments:"I would think it is a pale nymph of Coelidia olitoria; the “knee” joints do not extend as far forward as the eyes (as they do in Tinobregmus)."
Photo by: Paul Scharf, B Bockhahn
Stanly Co.
Comment: Caught sweeping. Several NYMPHS in area , this was the only pale one. Dr Hamilton's comments: I would think it is a pale nymph of Coelidia olitoria; the “knee” joints do not extend as far forward as the eyes (as they do in Tinobregmus).
Photo by: Paul Scharf, B Bockhahn
Stanly Co.
Comment: Caught sweeping. Several NYMPHS in area , this was the only pale one. Dr Hamilton's comments:" I would think it is a pale nymph of Coelidia olitoria; the “knee” joints do not extend as far forward as the eyes (as they do in Tinobregmus)."
Photo by: R Emmitt
Orange Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper
Photo by: R Emmitt
Orange Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper
Photo by: Randy L Emmitt
Orange Co.
Comment: 10pm - unid_leafhopper
Photo by: Randy L Emmitt
Orange Co.
Comment: Could not get this to a firm ID, suspect Coelidia . - unid_leafhopper
Photo by: R Emmitt
Orange Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Randy L Emmitt
Orange Co.
Comment: on the siding of art studio in the day time.
Photo by: Randy L Emmitt
Orange Co.
Comment: on the siding of art studio in the day time.
Photo by: Randy L Emmitt
Orange Co.
Comment: not in the Inaturalist database. Hope this ID is correct?
Photo by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper
Photo by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper
Photo by: aubrey wiggins
Wake Co.
Comment:
Photo by: R Emmitt
Orange Co.
Comment: Not sure if correct ID?
Photo by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Moore Co.
Comment: nymph
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Moore Co.
Comment: nymph
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Out Of State Co.
Comment: nymph
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Out Of State Co.
Comment: nymph
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: