Hoppers of North Carolina

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

Family (Alpha):

MEMBRACIDAE Members:	NC Records
Heliria cristata - No Common Name

Taxonomy

Family: MEMBRACIDAE	Subfamily: Smiliinae	Tribe: Telamonini
Taxonomic Author: (Fairmaire, 1826)

Identification

Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF iNaturalist Google
Description: A very distinctive, stunning species with a double-lobed pronotal crest, characteristic of this species; the anterior lobe of the pronotal crest is distinct, the frontal lobe is higher than the back one and is long, projecting forward at a posterior angle. Adults range in color from grayish-brown to brownish to a light green color and can have a mottled crest pattern. This species has a very broad front of the pronotum, extending well to the side of the eyes. Adult females are 11 mm long and 7 mm wide with a height of 6 mm, males are 10 mm long. (Kopp & Yonke, 1974) For additional pics of this species, see: (BG).

Distribution in North Carolina

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

Out of State Record(s)

Distribution: Eastern and central North America. This is the most abundant and widespread member of the genus in Eastern North America.

Abundance: Previously reported from Eastern NC, though not clear where in particular (CTNC). Likely uncommon to rare with two recent sightings from the Piedmont and mountains.

Seasonal Occurrence

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

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Where oak is present.

Plant Associates: Quercus macrocarpa (bur oak) (CTNC); adults have also been found on Celtis occidentalis (common hackberry), Corylus (hazelnut), Fagus grandifolia (American beech), Quercus alba (white oak), Q. palustris (pin oak), Q. stellata (post oak), and Q. velutina (black oak) (Wallace 2014).

Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a light.

Comment:

Status: Native

Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Heliria cristata No Common Name
	Photo by: Jim Petranka Madison Co. Comment:	Photo by: Jim Petranka Madison Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Luke Armstrong Orange Co. Comment:	Photo by: Luke Armstrong Orange Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Ken Childs Out Of State Co. Comment:	Photo by: Ken Childs Out Of State Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Matthew S. Wallace Out Of State Co. Comment:	Photo by: Matthew S. Wallace Out Of State Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Matthew S. Wallace Out Of State Co. Comment:

Heliria cristata - No Common Name

Species Photo Gallery for Heliria cristata No Common Name