Hoppers of North Carolina:
Spittlebugs, Leafhoppers, Treehoppers, and Planthoppers
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CLASTOPTERIDAE Members: NC Records

Clastoptera arborina - Red Cedar Spittlebug


© Kyle Kittelberger- male
© Kyle Kittelberger- female
© Kyle Kittelberger- female; note coloration
© Kyle Kittelberger- note face pattern
Taxonomy
Family: CLASTOPTERIDAE
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF  iNaturalist                                                                                  
Description: A reddish species with a pale zigzag transverse band across the middle of the body, and three bold reddish lines on the head and pronotum. Males can either be paler or darker than females, the latter of which tend to be fairly rufous in color. The rufous color helps set this species apart from other Clastoptera found in North Carolina, in particular C. obtusa. While dark males may resemble C. obtusa, they have more pale patches overall compared to C. obtusa which tend to be uniformly colored except for the white band and pale head; in particular, there tends to be a whitish patch near the base of each wing in both sexes that is a useful identifying mark. This species has a dark band across the face, wider in males, and can show a couple thinner dark bands between the eyes and frons. The area below the wide black band is pale. See here for a view of the face of both sexes, with the male on the bottom. Males are 3.5-3.9 mm long, while females are 3.7-4.1 mm (BG).
Distribution in North Carolina
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Distribution: Eastern, central, and southwestern North America (BG)
Abundance: Recorded from the Piedmont, possibly more abundant in the state in the right habitat.
Seasonal Occurrence
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Where red-cedar or cypress is present.
Plant Associates: Eastern red-cedar (Juniperus virginiana), Leyland Cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii) (DL)
Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a light.
Comment:
Status: Native
Global and State Rank:
See also Habitat Account for General Cedar Woodlands

Species Photo Gallery for Clastoptera arborina Red Cedar Spittlebug

Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: Attracted to UV light. Suburban yard with near woods.		Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: Attracted to UV light. Suburban yard with near woods.
Photo by: Maria de Bruyn
Orange Co.
Comment: Landed on my camera as I was walking around; there were several cedars in the vicinity		Photo by: North Carolina State University Insect Collection
Wake Co.
Comment: male
Photo by: North Carolina State University Insect Collection
Wake Co.
Comment: male		Photo by: North Carolina State University Insect Collection
Wake Co.
Comment: male
Photo by: North Carolina State University Insect Collection
Wake Co.
Comment: female		Photo by: North Carolina State University Insect Collection
Wake Co.
Comment: female
Photo by: David Guzman
Wake Co.
Comment: attracted to light