Hoppers of North Carolina

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

Family (Alpha):

CICADELLIDAE Members:	NC Records
Polyamia obtecta - No Common Name

Taxonomy

Family: CICADELLIDAE

Subfamily: Deltocephalinae

Identification

Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF iNaturalist Google
Description: A white to gray species with black and fuscous markings. The vertex is yellowish to whitish in color except for the black muscle arcs on the face (the two black transverse dashes near the margin of the head) that extend onto the crown; there are also some fuscous marks as well. The markings on the head are described as follows: "reflexed arcs of face, a pair of spots just back of apex, another either side of midway to eye, an irregular interrupted band, broadest at middle, between anterior margins of eyes, and an indefinite spot on either side behind band" (DeLong 1948). The scutellum has a large black spot at each basal angle (the anterior corners). The wings are a pale yellowish to white color, with some of the wing cells a grayish color with black borders. The female pregenital sternite rises abruptly from the preceding segment, with a truncated posterior margin; the lateral lobes are produced beyond the median portion as rounded lobes, and there is no median notch or excavation. The male genital plates are triangular, with broad bases that strongly and concavely narrow to attenuated tips. Adults males are 3.1-3.2 mm long, while females are around 3.1 mm long. (DeLong 1948) For diagrams of this species, see: Zahniser. For additional images of this species, see: BG.

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; also Cuba

Abundance: Recorded across the state where it is uncommon; probably 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, field-type areas, especially those with abundant broomsedge, bluestem, and rushes.

Plant Associates: Grasses

Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a light.

Comment:

Status: Native

Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Polyamia obtecta No Common Name
	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Dare Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/61212119	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Dare Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/61163302
	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Dare Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/61163302	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Dare Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/61163312
	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Dare Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/61163318	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Dare Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/61163318
	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Dare Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/61163318	Photo by: F. Williams, S. Williams Gates Co. Comment: MEMI
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Cumberland Co. Comment: attracted at night with a light	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Dare Co. Comment: grassy, brushy habitat
	Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Caught sweeping	Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Caught sweeping
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Wake Co. Comment: grassy, field-type habitat	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Vance Co. Comment: Field/forest edge habitat
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Vance Co. Comment: Field/forest edge habitat	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Vance Co. Comment: Field/forest edge habitat
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Wake Co. Comment: grassy, field-type habitat

Polyamia obtecta - No Common Name

Species Photo Gallery for Polyamia obtecta No Common Name