Hoppers of North Carolina

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

Family (Alpha):

DELPHACIDAE Members:	NC Records
Pissonotus binotatus - No Common Name

Taxonomy

Family: DELPHACIDAE	Subfamily: Delphacinae	Tribe: Delphacini
Taxonomic Author: Spooner, 1912

Identification

Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF iNaturalist
Description: A variable species, ranging in color from bright orange to nearly black. For brachypterous individuals, the tips of the wings are white; otherwise, the body is mostly the same color. There is a black band across the clypeus on the face. The first antennal segment is black, and there is a black line across the front of the second antennal segment; there also black lines on the front of the legs. Macropterous individuals have clear wings but otherwise the same pattern and colors at brachypters. Adult brachypterous males are around 1.77 mm long, while females are around 2.36 mm; macropterous males are around 2.84 mm long while females are around 3.07 mm. (Bartlett & Deitz, 2000) Nymphs are entirely orange.

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; also Bermuda (UDEL)

Abundance: A fairly common species, recorded across the state.

Seasonal Occurrence

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

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Grassy areas

Plant Associates: Most easily found on Conyza canadensis (Canadian horseweed; especially in well-drained situations were the plant perpetuates, less often in fallow fields); also Eupatorium (thoroughwort) (Asteraceae) (UDEL) and Erigeron (BG).

Behavior:

Comment: Bartlett states: "Morgan and Beamer (1949: 132) noted, "The body color of this species varies greatly with the season in which they are collected. The summer forms are usually honey-colored and those taken during the winter or early spring are almost black." A long series collected in Bladen Co., NC, in September included both color morphs (for brachypters and macropters), with the lighter morph dominant." (Bartlett & Deitz, 2000)

This species is very similar to P. delicatus and can only reliably be distinguished by genitalia. However, binotatus is the much more common and expected species in North Carolina, with delicatus more commonly found along the coast. Macropterous individuals of binotatus could also be confused with P. brunneus macrotpers. However, brunneus lacks the black line on the second antennal segment (segment is pale) and binotatus tends to be quite shiny while brunneus is more dull colored.

Status: Native

Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Pissonotus binotatus No Common Name
	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Caught sweeping in grassy area along greenway.	Photo by: unknown Swain Co. Comment: UDCC_TCN 00005712rnmalernphotos provided by C.R. Bartlett
	Photo by: unknown Swain Co. Comment: UDCC_TCN 00005712rnmalernphotos provided by C.R. Bartlett	Photo by: unknown Swain Co. Comment: UDCC_TCN 00005712rnmalernphotos provided by C.R. Bartlett
	Photo by: unknown Out Of State Co. Comment: malernphotos provided by C.R. Bartlett	Photo by: unknown Out Of State Co. Comment: malernphotos provided by C.R. Bartlett
	Photo by: unknown Out Of State Co. Comment: malernphotos provided by C.R. Bartlett	Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Caught Sweeping
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Cumberland Co. Comment: attracted at night with a light	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Cumberland Co. Comment: attracted at night with a light
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Cumberland Co. Comment: attracted at night with a light	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Beaufort Co. Comment: grassy, brushy habitat in a pine dominated forest; 5 long-winged adults
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Beaufort Co. Comment: grassy, brushy habitat in a pine dominated forest; 5 long-winged adults	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Beaufort Co. Comment: grassy, brushy habitat in a pine dominated forest
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Beaufort Co. Comment: grassy, brushy habitat in a pine dominated forest	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Beaufort Co. Comment: grassy, brushy habitat in a pine dominated forest
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Beaufort Co. Comment: grassy, brushy habitat in a pine dominated forest	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Beaufort Co. Comment: grassy, brushy habitat in a pine dominated forest

Pissonotus binotatus - No Common Name

Species Photo Gallery for Pissonotus binotatus No Common Name