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

Exitianus exitiosus - Gray Lawn Leafhopper


© Kyle Kittelberger- side view
© Kyle Kittelberger
© Ken Childs- nymph
© Ken Childs- nymph
Taxonomy
Family: CICADELLIDAESubfamily: Deltocephalinae
Taxonomic Author: (Uhler, 1880)
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF  iNaturalist                                                                                  
Description: A distinctive leafhopper that is a pale brown to grayish/silver color overall. There are black spots on the head and edge of the thorax, as well as a thin brown transverse band across the head; these marks are characteristic for this species. There are also two black triangles in the upper corners of the scutellum and a third, smaller triangle between the two larger ones. The wings are clear to silvery white with distinct, contrasting brown venation. The wings also typically extend slightly past the abdomen (BG). Legs are reddish in color. Nymphs are light brown overall but show the characteristic head markings found in the adults.
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: Found across North America, south to Mexico and the West Indies (BG).
Abundance: A common species, recorded across the state with a majority of records from the Piedmont and Coastal Plain.
Seasonal Occurrence
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Any grassy, field-type habitat, including forest edges.
Plant Associates: Turfgrasses, etc. This species has been taken from dozens of plants: for a large list of plants, see: DL.
Behavior: This species breeds on any available grass, then flies off to find whatever is available, always choosing the most succulent growth (BG). It can be attracted at night with a light.
Comment: An invasive species, but it is considered native to Mexico and the U.S. (BG). It can be an agricultural pest, as it can transmit the diseases corn stunt spiroplasma (CSS) and maize bushy stunt phytoplasma (MBSP); these diseases are more common in southern Florida (UF).
Status: Native
Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Exitianus exitiosus Gray Lawn Leafhopper

Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper		Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/172437467		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: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/111146428
Photo by: John Petranka
Halifax Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/103107612
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 3.7 mm, caught in a sweep through ankle depth grassy area		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Dare Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/61212120
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Dare Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/61212123		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Dare Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/61212125
Photo by: Erich Hofmann
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/57782674
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/57782677		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/57489830
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/56672858		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/56672869
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/56087036		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/55853879
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/55853887		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/55556911
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/55556926		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/55090899
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Swain Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/52274656		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/50836746
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/50836746		Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 4.5 mm female, athletic field grasses
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 4.5 mm female, athletic field grasses		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/47920843
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/42122926		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/42122926
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/42122926		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/42122926
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/39253686		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/39253686
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/38482626		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/38482626
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/38274778		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/38274778
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/38274778		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/37923877
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/37923877		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/37923880
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/37663389		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/37663389
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/36921178		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/36921178
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/36921178		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/36921181
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/35900495		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/35900495
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: sweep of athletic field turf		Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Yancey Co.
Comment: 4.6 mm, sweep of low vegetation adjacent to a bog
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/34808404		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/34223889
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/34201362 Attracted to UV light		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/33822235
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/33676732		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/33676732
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/33345608		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/33345608
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/33345624		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/33345643
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/33345643		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/33345643
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/33044019		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/33044019
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/33044019		Photo by: Matthew Guilin
Cabarrus Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper
Photo by: Matthew Guilin
Cabarrus Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper		Photo by: Mark Shields
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/32660710		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/32660728
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/32558140		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/32558140
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/32558152		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/32558152
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/32558152		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/32233790
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/32233797		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/32233797
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/31209233		Photo by: J. B. Sullivan
Yancey Co.
Comment:
Photo by: J. B. Sullivan
Yancey Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: J. B. Sullivan
Yancey Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/29874479 - unid_leafhopper		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/29874479 - unid_leafhopper
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/29874479 - unid_leafhopper		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/29874473 - unid_leafhopper
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/29874473 - unid_leafhopper		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/29874473 - unid_leafhopper
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/28262535		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/28262533
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/28262533		Photo by: Randy Emmitt
Orange Co.
Comment: uv light - unid_leafhopper
Photo by: Randy Emmitt
Orange Co.
Comment: uv light - unid_leafhopper		Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 5mm, female, swept from grass of athletic field
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 5mm, female, swept from grass of athletic field		Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 5mm, female, swept from grass of athletic field
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 4.3mm		Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 4.3mm
Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: Open area near woods. Attracted to black light.		Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: Open area near woods. Attracted to black light.
Photo by: T. DeSantis
Camden Co.
Comment: DISW		Photo by: Ken Childs
Out Of State Co.
Comment: nymph
Photo by: Ken Childs
Out Of State Co.
Comment: nymph		Photo by: Paul Scharf
Warren Co.
Comment: Common while sweeping short cut grass. Also attracted to Black Lights
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf
Wake Co.
Comment: grass habitat		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Wake Co.
Comment: grassy, field-type habitat
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Wake Co.
Comment: grassy, field-type habitat		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Wake Co.
Comment: grassy, field-type habitat
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Wake Co.
Comment: grassy, field-type habitat		Photo by: Paul Scharf
Warren Co.
Comment: Caught Sweeping
Photo by: Paul Scharf
Warren Co.
Comment: Common while sweeping short cut grass. Also attracted to Black Lights