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

Melanoliarus placitus - No Common Name


© Solomon Hendrix- female
© Kyle Kittelberger- male
© Kyle Kittelberger- male
© Kyle Kittelberger- orange individual
Taxonomy
Family: CIXIIDAETribe: Pentastirini
Taxonomic Author: (Van Duzee, 1912)
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF  iNaturalist                                                                                  
Description: A robust species with a dark face, head, and thorax, ranging from fuscous to fuscocastaneous/castaneous; there are two pale marks on the face that look more like lines than spots. The carinae of the mesonotum are concolorous in most specimens but orange in others. In typical males, the dark markings on the wing bordering the pronotum usually extend downward through the median area of the wings along the commissure, forming a Y-shape and giving the marking a "key-like" appearance. There is one spot on each wing bordering this dark line, but in bolder individuals there are dark crossveins as well, particularly near the apex of the wings. The costal cell tends to have three weakly developed spots. The wing venation ranges from stramineous (yellowish) to brownish, with most specimens having fairly pale veins. The stigma on each wing is a bold dark brown to black, resulting in a prominent dark costal spot closer to the apex. There is also an uncommon orange color form, with the entirety of the body and wings being an orange-brown color. Females are more variable in wing pattern and are usually darker than males with very fuscous markings that extend across much of the wing. The legs of this species are pale yellowish-brown. Adult males are typically 6.1 to 8.8 mm long, with females ranging as high as 10.7 mm. (Mead & Kramer, 1982; S. Hendrix pers. comments)
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 and central United States and Ontario (UDEL)
Abundance: Recorded across most of the state where it is usually common; this is our most abundant and frequently encountered Melanoliarus species in North Carolina.
Seasonal Occurrence
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Has been found in maritime shrub; also reported from woodland and pine flatwoods. (Mead & Kramer, 1982)
Plant Associates: "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: Positively phototropic, it can easily 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. placitus, Mead & Kramer (1982) note that it is most likely to be confused with M. montanus, a fairly rare species; [as of now] the two can be readily separated by the male terminalia (apical segments of the abdomen) and genitalic processes (see Mead & Kramer, 1982); M. montanus is supposed to be overall darker than placitus as well.

Mead & Kramer note that M. placitus is likely an univoltine (single-brood) species.

Status: Native
Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Melanoliarus placitus No Common Name

Photo by: Hunter Phillips, Mark Shields
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Columbus Co.
Comment: Numerous individuals of varying color forms seen active on the Lakeshore trail		Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Columbus Co.
Comment: Numerous individuals of varying color forms seen active on the Lakeshore trail
Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Columbus Co.
Comment: Numerous individuals of varying color forms seen active on the Lakeshore trail		Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Columbus Co.
Comment: Numerous individuals of varying color forms seen active on the Lakeshore trail
Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Bladen Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Bladen Co.
Comment:
Photo by: R. Newman
Carteret Co.
Comment: FOMA		Photo by: Tracy S. Feldman
Durham Co.
Comment: there were two mites attached to it--it was acting sluggish.
Photo by: Tracy S. Feldman
Durham Co.
Comment: there were two mites attached to it--it was acting sluggish.		Photo by: Erich Hofmann
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Erich Hofmann
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Scott Bolick
Guilford Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Scott Bolick
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Scott Bolick
Guilford Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Scott Bolick
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Scott Bolick
Guilford Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Scott Bolick
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Scott Bolick
Guilford Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Scott Bolick
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Pender Co.
Comment: male, 7.0 mm
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Pender Co.
Comment: male, 7.0 mm		Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Pender Co.
Comment: male, 7.0 mm
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Pender Co.
Comment: male, 7.0 mm		Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Pender Co.
Comment: male, 7.0 mm
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Pender Co.
Comment: male, 7.0 mm		Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Pender Co.
Comment: male, 7.0 mm
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Brunswick Co.
Comment: male, 8.0 mm		Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Brunswick Co.
Comment: male, 8.0 mm
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Brunswick Co.
Comment: male, 8.0 mm		Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Brunswick Co.
Comment: male, 8.0 mm
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Brunswick Co.
Comment: male, 8.0 mm		Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Carteret Co.
Comment: 8.9 mm, female
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Carteret Co.
Comment: 8.9 mm, female		Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Carteret Co.
Comment: 8.9 mm, female
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Carteret Co.
Comment: 8.9 mm, female		Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Carteret Co.
Comment: 8.9 mm, female
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Carteret Co.
Comment: 8.9 mm, female		Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Pender Co.
Comment: photographed by K. Kittelberger
Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: additional pics by K. Kittelberger		Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: additional pics by K. Kittelberger
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Pender Co.
Comment: photographed by K. Kittelberger		Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Pender Co.
Comment: photographed by K. Kittelberger
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Pender Co.
Comment: photographed by K. Kittelberger		Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Pender Co.
Comment: photographed by K. Kittelberger
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Pender Co.
Comment: photographed by K. Kittelberger		Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Pender Co.
Comment: photographed by K. Kittelberger
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Pender Co.
Comment: photographed by K. Kittelberger		Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Pender Co.
Comment: photographed by K. Kittelberger
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Pender Co.
Comment: photographed by K. Kittelberger		Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: photos by K. Kittelberger
Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: photos by K. Kittelberger		Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: photographed by K. Kittelberger		Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: photographed by K. Kittelberger
Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: photographed by K. Kittelberger		Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: photographed by K. Kittelberger
Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/46857977; photographed by K. Kittelberger		Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/46857977; photographed by K. Kittelberger
Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/46857977; photographed by K. Kittelberger		Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/46857977; photographed by K. Kittelberger
Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: photographed by K. Kittelberger
Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: photographed by K. Kittelberger		Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: photographed by K. Kittelberger
Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: photographed by K. Kittelberger		Photo by: Harry Wilson
Wake Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Harry Wilson
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Harry Wilson
Wake Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Paul Scharf, B Bockhahn
Rockingham Co.
Comment: Attracted to UV Light		Photo by: Paul Scharf, B Bockhahn
Rockingham Co.
Comment: Attracted to UV Light
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: F. Williams, S. Williams
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI
Photo by: T. DeSantis
Camden Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Mark Shields
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: Attracted to UV light. Suburban yard near woods.
Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: Attracted to UV light. Suburban yard near woods.		Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: Attracted to UV light. Suburban yard near woods.
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 7 mm, on brick wall of my house		Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 7 mm, on brick wall of my house
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Swain Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/52274725		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Swain Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/52274725
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
Halifax Co.
Comment: grassy area and mixed hardwood forest edge		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Halifax Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: T. Stimmler
Out Of State Co.
Comment: UDCC_TCN 00069602rncoll. T. Stimmlerrnfemale
Photo by: T. Stimmler
Out Of State Co.
Comment: UDCC_TCN 00069602rncoll. T. Stimmlerrnfemale		Photo by: T. Stimmler
Out Of State Co.
Comment: UDCC_TCN 00069602rncoll. T. Stimmlerrnfemale
Photo by: A. Gonzon
Out Of State Co.
Comment: UDCC_TCN 00003035rncoll. A. Gonzon at blacklightrnmale		Photo by: A. Gonzon
Out Of State Co.
Comment: UDCC_TCN 00003035rncoll. A. Gonzon at blacklightrnmale
Photo by: A. Gonzon
Out Of State Co.
Comment: UDCC_TCN 00003035rncoll. A. Gonzon at blacklightrnmale		Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Craven Co.
Comment: male
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Craven Co.
Comment: male		Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: specimen photographed by Kyle Kittelberger; 7.6 mm. ID determined via specimen by C. Bartlett
Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: specimen photographed by Kyle Kittelberger; 7.6 mm. ID determined via specimen by C. Bartlett		Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: specimen photographed by Kyle Kittelberger; 7.6 mm. ID determined via specimen by C. Bartlett
Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: specimen photographed by Kyle Kittelberger; 7.6 mm		Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: specimen photographed by Kyle Kittelberger; 7.6 mm
Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: specimen photographed by Kyle Kittelberger; 7.6 mm		Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: specimen photographed by Kyle Kittelberger; 7.6 mm
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: male; photos taken by K. Kittelberger		Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: male; photos taken by K. Kittelberger
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Carteret Co.
Comment: male 6.9 mm, photographed by K. Kittelberger; collected at UV trap		Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Carteret Co.
Comment: male 7.7 mm, photographed by K. Kittelberger; collected at UV trap
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Carteret Co.
Comment: male 7.7 mm, photographed by K. Kittelberger; collected at UV trap		Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Carteret Co.
Comment: male 6.9 mm, photographed by K. Kittelberger; collected at UV trap
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Carteret Co.
Comment: male 6.9 mm, photographed by K. Kittelberger; collected at UV trap		Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Carteret Co.
Comment: male 6.9 mm, photographed by K. Kittelberger; collected at UV trap
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Carteret Co.
Comment: dirty, photographed by K. Kittelberger; collected at UV trap		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Carteret Co.
Comment: maritime shrub; collected by Bo Sullivan
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Carteret Co.
Comment: maritime shrub; collected by Bo Sullivan		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Carteret Co.
Comment: maritime shrub; collected by Bo Sullivan, 7.1 mm
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Carteret Co.
Comment: maritime shrub; collected by Bo Sullivan		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Carteret Co.
Comment: maritime shrub; collected by Bo Sullivan
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Carteret Co.
Comment: maritime shrub; collected by Bo Sullivan		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Gates Co.
Comment: specimen collected by B. Bockhahn; 9.07 mm long
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Gates Co.
Comment: specimen collected by B. Bockhahn; 9.07 mm long		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Gates Co.
Comment: specimen collected by B. Bockhahn
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Gates Co.
Comment: specimen collected by B. Bockhahn; 10.7 mm