Hoppers of North Carolina

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

Family (Alpha):

Sole representative of TROPIDUCHIDAE in NC

NC Records
Pelitropis rotulata - No Common Name

Taxonomy

Family: TROPIDUCHIDAE	Subfamily: Trophiduchinae	Tribe: 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. Nymphs 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	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

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:

Pelitropis rotulata - No Common Name

Species Photo Gallery for Pelitropis rotulata No Common Name

Species Photo Gallery for Pelitropis rotulata No Common Name
	Photo by: Erich Hofmann New Hanover Co. Comment:	Photo by: Erich Hofmann New Hanover Co. Comment:
	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