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

Melanoliarus montanus - No Common Name


© Solomon Hendrix
© Solomon Hendrix- note dark color
© Solomon Hendrix
© Solomon Hendrix- note dark face
Taxonomy
Family: CIXIIDAETribe: Pentastirini
Taxonomic Author: (Metcalf, 1923)
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF  iNaturalist                                                                                  
Description: The vertex and mesonotum are dark brown, with the mesonotal carinae brownish to dull orange. The vertex is broad, with the median length noticeably less than the width at the apex of the posterior emargination. The face is typically castaneous in color, sometimes fuscous; the carinae range from yellow to orange. The wings vary from lightly to moderately spotted, with most of this speckling along the clavus and apical portions of the corium, sometimes a three or less spots in the costal cell. The wing venation is brownish with some white and dark sections interspersed; the stigma is brown. Adult males are 7.0 to 7.6 mm long. (Mead & Kramer, 1982)
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: Eastern United States (UDEL)
Abundance: Recorded from a couple counties in the mountains, likely more abundant in this region.
Seasonal Occurrence
Jan
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Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Mountainous, hilly areas
Plant Associates: Has been collected from Hickory (Carya sp.) (Mead & Kramer, 1982)

"Nymphs of cixiids are subterranean, feeding on roots and possibly fungi. The significance of adult host records is unclear. Many cixiids are presumed to be polyphagous (as adults), most often on woody plants." (UDEL)

Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a light.
Comment: This may be the most difficult genus of planthoppers, perhaps even hoppers to identify in North Carolina. In the case of M. montanus, Mead & Kramer (1982) note that it is most likely to be confused with M. placitus, but can be readily separated by the male terminalia (apical segments of the abdomen) and genitalic processes (see Mead & Kramer, 1982). This species also tends to be darker overall than M. placitus.
Status: Native
Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Melanoliarus montanus No Common Name

Photo by: M. Frye
Out Of State Co.
Comment: UDCC_TCN 00003344rncoll. M. Fryerndet. C.R. BartlettrnMale		Photo by: M. Frye
Out Of State Co.
Comment: UDCC_TCN 00003344rncoll. M. Fryerndet. C.R. BartlettrnMale
Photo by: M. Frye
Out Of State Co.
Comment: UDCC_TCN 00003344rncoll. M. Fryerndet. C.R. BartlettrnMale		Photo by: A.M. Deczynski
Out Of State Co.
Comment: coll. A.M. Deczynski at lightrndet. C.R. Bartlett
Photo by: A.M. Deczynski
Out Of State Co.
Comment: coll. A.M. Deczynski at lightrndet. C.R. Bartlett		Photo by: A.M. Deczynski
Out Of State Co.
Comment: coll. A.M. Deczynski at lightrndet. C.R. Bartlett
Photo by: A.M. Deczynski
Out Of State Co.
Comment: malerncoll. A.M. Deczynski		Photo by: A.M. Deczynski
Out Of State Co.
Comment: malerncoll. A.M. Deczynski
Photo by: A.M. Deczynski
Out Of State Co.
Comment: malerncoll. A.M. Deczynski