Hoppers of North Carolina:
Spittlebugs, Leafhoppers, Treehoppers, and Planthoppers
Scientific Name: Search Common Name:
Family (Alpha):
« »
DELPHACIDAE Members: NC Records

Prokelisia dolus - No Common Name


© Kyle Kittelberger- side view
© Kyle Kittelberger- top view
© Kyle Kittelberger- note face color and size
Taxonomy
Family: DELPHACIDAESubfamily: Delphacinae
Taxonomic Author: Wilson, 1982
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF  iNaturalist                                                                                  
Description: A brownish species with yellowish hyaline wings and a light brown to yellow thorax and pale face. The frons has dark brown longitudinal markings along the median and is widest in the basal third; it is less than two times longer than it is wide. Adult males are 2.7-3.3 mm long, while females are 2.9-3.6 mm. (Wilson, 1982)
Distribution in North Carolina
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Distribution: Widespread in eastern North America from Gulf coast states to southern Canada; also California (UDEL)
Abundance: Primarily recorded from the Coastal Plain, with records from a single county in the Piedmont. Likely 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: Grassy areas with Spartina (UDEL)
Plant Associates: Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass) (UDEL)
Behavior:
Comment: NOTE: This species is similar to P. marginata but tends to have a much broader frons near the frontoclypeal suture than does P. marginata (the frons of dolus appears wide whereas the frons of marginata appears elongate); the frons in dolus also tends to be brownish whereas marginata has a pale, whitish frons. Note this diagram of Prokelisia faces and see how the shape of the frons compares between dolus and marginata; dolus is typically less than two times longer than wide whereas marginata is around two times longer than wide. Compare images of specimens on the following page: UDEL. For differences in females of Prokelisia, see: Heady & Wilson, 1990.

Interestingly, Wilson (1982) states that an analysis of Prokelisia specimens collected revealed that there was a relationship, though not absolute, between wing length and species. 84.0% of P. dolus specimens were brachypters while 81.6% of P. marginata specimens were macropters. However, a majority of P. marginata from the Florida Keys were brachypters, with the theory being that greater stability of habitats leads to higher incidence of brachypters. Just something to keep in mind when finding brachypter or macropter Prokelisia dolus/marginata in the state.

Status: Native
Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Prokelisia dolus No Common Name

Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf
Gates Co.
Comment: open, grassy area near mixed hardwood forest; ID confirmed by C. Bartlett		Photo by: Mark Shields
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Mark Shields
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf
Gates Co.
Comment: open, grassy area near mixed hardwood forest
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf
Gates Co.
Comment: open, grassy area near mixed hardwood forest