Hoppers of North Carolina:
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DELPHACIDAE Members: NC Records

Pissonotus delicatus - No Common Name


© Charles Bartlett- male
© Charles Bartlett- male
© Charles Bartlett- note face
Taxonomy
Family: DELPHACIDAESubfamily: DelphacinaeTribe: Delphacini
Taxonomic Author: Van Duzee, 1897
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF  iNaturalist                                                                                  
Description: A variable species, ranging in color from 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, though typically on the darker side. Adult brachypterous males are around 1.97 mm long, while females are around 2.45 mm; macropterous males are around 3.39 mm long while females are around 3.47 mm. (Bartlett & Deitz, 2000)
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: Primarily a Western species where it is widespread, but also recorded across much of the eastern United States; also Canada, Mexico, and maybe Jamaica (UDEL)
Abundance: Recorded from several counties in the Piedmont and mountains.
Seasonal Occurrence
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Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Reported to be a component of pinelands in southern temperate decidious forests. Likely to be found in grassy areas. (Bartlett & Deitz, 2000)
Plant Associates: Grindelia squarrosa (Curlycup gumweed); Grindelia papposa; reported (but not confirmed) from many other hosts as well (Bartlett & Deitz, 2000)
Behavior:
Comment: This species is the most frequently collected Pissonotus north of Mexico (Bartlett & Deitz, 2000)

This species is very similar to P. binotatus and can only reliably be distinguished by genitalia, though macropterous individuals are slightly larger than binotatus (see measurements for both species). However, binotatus is the much more common and expected species in North Carolina. Macropterous individuals of delicatus could also be confused with P. brunneus macrotpers. However, brunneus lacks the black line on the second antennal segment (segment is pale) and delicatus tends to be quite shiny while brunneus is more dull colored.

Status: Native
Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Pissonotus delicatus No Common Name

Photo by: unknown
Out Of State Co.
Comment: collection info incomplete; date unknownrnmalernphotos provided by C.R. Bartlett		Photo by: unknown
Out Of State Co.
Comment: collection info incomplete; date unknownrnmalernphotos provided by C.R. Bartlett
Photo by: unknown
Out Of State Co.
Comment: collection info incomplete; date unknownrnmalernphotos provided by C.R. Bartlett