Hoppers of North Carolina

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

Family (Alpha):

DELPHACIDAE Members:	NC Records
Megamelus palaetus - No Common Name

Taxonomy

Family: DELPHACIDAE	Subfamily: Delphacinae	Tribe: Delphacini
Taxonomic Author: (Van Duzee, 1897)

Identification

Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF iNaturalist
Description: Beamer notes that this species is yellowish-brown in color, mottled with dark brown. There is a spot before the apex of the clavus and the veins of the elytra are dark brown, sometimes bold. There is a dark spot in the middle of the inner margins of the wings. The legs and underside of the head and thorax are banded with black, yellow, and tan/white. The face is also mottled with dark bands, characteristic of this species. Brachypters are similar to macropters but tend to be lighter in color. The largest member of this genus in our area, macropterous males are 5.0 mm long while females are 5.5 mm. (Beamer, 1955)

Distribution in North Carolina

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

Distribution: Eastern United States (UDEL)

Abundance: Uncommon to locally common, recorded across the state. Probably 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 areas near mixed hardwood forest.

Plant Associates: Eichornia crassipes; Pontederia cordata (Pontederiaceae); broadleaf arrowhead - Sagittaria latifolia (Alismataceae), Paspalum sp. (Poaceae); Jatropha integerrima; Euphorbiaceae; Laurel (UDEL)

Behavior: Commonly attracted at night with a light.

Comment:

Status: Native

Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Megamelus palaetus No Common Name
	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Found on a water lily.	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Caught sweeping at pond edge.
	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Caught sweeping at pond edge.	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Caught sweeping at pond edge.
	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Caught sweeping at pond edge.	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment:	Photo by: Erich Hofmann, David George, Rich Teper, Jeff Niznik New Hanover Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Erich Hofmann New Hanover Co. Comment: One of several individuals seen.	Photo by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/53470565 - unid_planthopper
	Photo by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/53470565 - unid_planthopper	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Wake Co. Comment: mixed hardwood forest
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Wake Co. Comment: grassy habitat; long-winged individuals	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Wake Co. Comment: grassy habitat; long-winged individuals
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Wake Co. Comment: grassy habitat; long-winged individuals	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Wake Co. Comment: grassy habitat; long-winged individuals
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Wake Co. Comment: grassy habitat; long-winged individuals	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Wake Co. Comment: grassy habitat; long-winged individuals
	Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Attracted to UV Light	Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Attracted to UV Light
	Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Attracted to UV Light	Photo by: Paul Scharf, B Bockhahn Stanly Co. Comment: Attracted to UV Light
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Avery Co. Comment: open area near mixed hardwood forest	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Avery Co. Comment: open area near mixed hardwood forest
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Avery Co. Comment: open area near mixed hardwood forest

Megamelus palaetus - No Common Name

Species Photo Gallery for Megamelus palaetus No Common Name