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DELPHACIDAE Members: NC Records

Spartidelphax detectus - No Common Name

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Taxonomy
Family: DELPHACIDAESubfamily: DelphacinaeSynonym: Delphacodes detecta
Taxonomic Author: (Van Duzee, 1897)
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF  iNaturalist                                                                                  
Description: A pale, whitish species with a robust body. The head, including the eyes, are slightly larger than the pronotum, and the vertex in dorsal view projects past the eyes. Macropters (long-winged) are darker than brachypters, with the abdomen and lateral portion of the mesonotum a brownish color. However, macropterous wings are clear (just like brachypterous wings) and extend past the length of the abdomen. Both Spartidelphax species are extremely similar, though S. detectus is slightly smaller than penedetectus. The best field mark for differentiating the two species without dissection is the length of the vertex. In S. penedetectus, the vertex is nearly 1.5 (range around 1.34 to 1.5) times longer than it is wide; in S. detectus, the vertex is slightly shorter, being about 1.3 (range around 1.25 to 1.31) times longer than wide. Note the slight difference in the lengths with these two specimens. In penedetectus, brachypter males have an average body length of 2.33 mm while macropters have an average of 3.79 mm; female brachypters have an average length of 3.06 mm while macropters have an average of 4.07 mm. In detectus, brachypter males have an average body length of 2.28 mm while macropters have an average of 3.29 mm; female brachypters have an average length of 2.89 mm while macropters have an average of 3.61 mm. Looking at male genitalia, the aedeagus of penedetectus has ventral teeth or fine serrulations, while in detectus is has long rows of lateral teeth extending beyond the distal third of the aedeagus. Nymphs of this genus are whitish overall. For more information on Spartidelphax and differentiating to the two species, see: Bartlett 2014.
Distribution in North Carolina
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Distribution: Widespread. Coastal Eastern United States, from Texas to Maine, and coastal Canada. Also recorded from: Anguilla, Bahamas (Exuma, Berry, Eleuthera); Bermuda, British Virgin Islands (Guana, St. Thomas), Jamaica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Turks & Caicos. (UDEL)
Abundance: Recorded along the coast where it can be locally abundant. Likely found throughout our coastal habitats where suitable habitat exists.
Seasonal Occurrence
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Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Coastal marsh grass, spartina in particular
Plant Associates: Spartina patens (Poaceae, saltmeadow cordgrass), Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass). Spartidelphax detectus is likely a specialist on S. patens, with S. alterniflora “an inferior host plant for development” (UDEL).
Behavior:
Comment:
Status: Native
Global and State Rank: GNR [G4G5] [S3S4]
See also Habitat Account for Salt and Brackish Marshes