Hoppers of North Carolina:
Spittlebugs, Leafhoppers, Treehoppers, and Planthoppers
Scientific Name: Search Common Name:
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   Sole representative of TROPIDUCHIDAE in NC
NC Records

Pelitropis rotulata - No Common Name



© Kyle Kittelberger

© Kyle Kittelberger

© Kyle Kittelberger

© Scott Bolick- nymph
Taxonomy
Family: TROPIDUCHIDAESubfamily: TrophiduchinaeTribe: Tangiini
Taxonomic Author: (Van Duzee, 1908)
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF  iNaturalist                                                                                  
Description: A highly distinctive looking species, with a characteristic broad, flat head and bold wing venation that defines an oval area near the wing tips. This species is typically brownish in color, sometimes with rufous tints; the body itself has a very flattened appearance.

of this species are also distinctive, also having a characteristic flat head. They can range in color from yellow to green, and have two bright red dots at the tip of the abdomen. Like many planthopper nymphs, there may be hairs extending from the tip of the abdomen: see here and here. For more information about nymphs of this species, see: Pelitropis.

Distribution in North Carolina
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Distribution: Southeastern United States: Virginia south through Florida, west to Texas; also known from Cuba; not very abundant, but seems to be more common closer to the coast (UDEL)
Abundance: Uncommon, with scattered records across the state but most encountered in the Piedmont; possibly more abundant in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain.
Seasonal Occurrence
Jan
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Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Has been found near mixed hardwood forest habitat.
Plant Associates: Recorded from: Ilex (Aquifoliaceae), Baccharis halimifolia L. (Asteraceae), Elaeagnus multiflora Thunb. (Elaeagnaceae, cherry silverberry), Lyonia sp. (staggerbush), Rhododendron sp., Vaccinium corymbosum L. (highbush blueberry), Vaccinium sp. (Ericaceae), Quercus phellos L. (Fagaceae), Liquidambar styraciflua L. (Hamamelidaceae), Hypericum edisonianum (Small) P. Adams & N. Robson (Arcadian St. Johnswort, Clusiaceae [was Hypericaceae]), Persea borbonia (L.) Spreng. (redbay; Lauraceae), Myrica cerifera L. (wax myrtle, Myricaceae), Ligustrum amurense Carrière (Amur privet; Oleaceae), Coccoloba uvifera (L.) L. (seagrape, Polygonaceae), Prunus serotina Ehrh. (black cherr), Pyrus communis L. (common pear, Rosaceae), Ulmus alata Michx. (winged elm; Ulmaceae), Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch. (Virginia creeper), Vitis rotundifolia Michx. (muscadine, Vitaceae) (UDEL)
Behavior: Most commonly found attracted to lights at night.
Comment: This is the sole member of this planthopper family found in the United States; 3 other species can be found in the Caribbean.
Status: Native
Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Pelitropis rotulata No Common Name

Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: Attracted to porch light. Suburban yard near woods.
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/126008628
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/126008628
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 8.5 mm, came to UV light at night
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 8.5 mm, came to UV light at night
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 8.5 mm, came to UV light at night
Photo by: Scott Bolick
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Scott Bolick
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Scott Bolick
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Erich Hofmann
New Hanover Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/58048188
Photo by: Erich Hofmann
New Hanover Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/58048188
Photo by: Erich Hofmann
New Hanover Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/58048188
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: came to UV light at night
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54896029
Photo by: Scott Bolick
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Scott Bolick
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: Came to UV light. Yard near woods.
Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: Came to UV light. Yard near woods.
Photo by: Mark Shields
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Mark Shields
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Mark Shields
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 8 mm
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 8 mm
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 8 mm
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: mixed hardwood forest habitat
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: near mixed hardwood forest habitat
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf
Wake Co.
Comment: mixed hardwood forest habitat
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: mixed hardwood forest habitat
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: mixed hardwood forest habitat
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: mixed hardwood forest habitat
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: mixed hardwood forest habitat
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: mixed hardwood forest habitat