Hoppers of North Carolina

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

Family (Alpha):

DICTYOPHARIDAE Members:	NC Records
Phylloscelis atra - Black Leaf-leg

Taxonomy

Family: DICTYOPHARIDAE

Identification

Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF iNaturalist
Description: A variable species with several different color forms, ranging from completely black to brownish overall to boldly marked with pale lines. The length of the wings can also vary among individuals, from more rounded to longer, more rectangular (above pics). The head is not projected, being short and stout in profile, and the legs are enlarged and long. In the black form at least the insides of the legs are speckled with small white spots. Nymphs are brownish overall with pale abdominal segments, pale speckling over the body, and several groups of pale hairs extending from tip of the abdomen.

Distribution in North Carolina

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

Distribution: Eastern and central United States, Ontario, and Mexico (UDEL)

Abundance: Recorded recently from the western Piedmont, especially on top of Pilot Mountain; possibly more abundant in the state, especially in higher elevation areas like the mountains.

Seasonal Occurrence

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

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Has been found in grassy, brushy habitat near forest edge.

Plant Associates: Rhus copallina (winged sumac, Anacardiaceae) (UDEL)

Behavior:

Comment: This species is a beetle mimic. It lives together with the leaf beetle Cryptocephalus on wild mint, and the brightly marked form is a good imitation of the beetle. (BG)

Status: Native

Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Phylloscelis atra Black Leaf-leg
	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Caught several sweeping in weedy field. All but one were this color pattern.	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Caught several sweeping in weedy field. All but one were this color pattern.
	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Caught several sweeping in weedy field. All but one were this color pattern.	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Caught sweeping
	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Caught sweeping	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Surry Co. Comment: grassy, brushy habitat near forest edge
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Surry Co. Comment: grassy, brushy habitat near forest edge	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Surry Co. Comment: grassy, brushy habitat near forest edge
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Surry Co. Comment: grassy, brushy habitat near forest edge	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Surry Co. Comment: grassy, brushy habitat near forest edge
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Surry Co. Comment: grassy, brushy habitat near forest edge

Phylloscelis atra - Black Leaf-leg

Species Photo Gallery for Phylloscelis atra Black Leaf-leg