Hoppers of North Carolina

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

Family (Alpha):

CIXIIDAE Members:	NC Records
Bothriocera maculata - No Common Name

Taxonomy

Family: CIXIIDAE	Tribe: Bothriocerini
Taxonomic Author: Caldwell, 1943

Identification

Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF iNaturalist
Description: A dark species in this genus with a central bold transverse band across the wings that is blackish. There is a network of black lined wing cells near the tip of the wings that gives this species a somewhat distinctive wing pattern. This pattern, in addition to the relatively clear base of the wings above the dark band, outside of a small black tear-shaped mark on the side of each wing, can help differentiate this species from the similar B. cognita whose wing markings are typically much more intense and darker; maculata also only has the clavus embrowned along the inner margin. The body is dark, blackish in color, contrasting with the typically fulvousy orange/tawny color of the square-shaped head. The face is also dark, and the pronotum and tegulae are embrowned or not; the mesonotum is a dark yellowish-brown to dark reddish-brown. The legs are also fulvousy orange. Adult males are 4.2-5.0 mm long, while females are 4.4-5.2 mm. (Kramer, 1983) For more pics of this species, see: BG.

Distribution in North Carolina

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

Distribution: Eastern United States, as far north as Maryland and as far west as Texas (UDEL)

Abundance: Uncommon, recorded primarily from the Coastal Plain; possibly more abundant in the right habitat.

Seasonal Occurrence

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

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Has been found in grassy habitat.

Plant Associates: Nymphs are presumed to be root feeders. Adults have been found to associate with: saltmeadow cordgrass (Spartina patens), big cordgrass (Spartina cynosuroides), needlegrass rush/black rush (Juncus roemerianus), and dog-fennel (Eupatorium capillifolium) (Kramer, 1983)

Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a light.

Comment: Species in this genus can be difficult to identify.

Status: Native

Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Bothriocera maculata No Common Name
	Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Attracted to Light	Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Attracted to Light
	Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Attracted to Light	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Dare Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf New Hanover Co. Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf New Hanover Co. Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf New Hanover Co. Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.

Bothriocera maculata - No Common Name

Species Photo Gallery for Bothriocera maculata No Common Name