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

Endria inimicus - Painted Leafhopper


© Kyle Kittelberger- side view
© Kyle Kittelberger- top view; note the 3 pairs
of black spots
Taxonomy
Family: CICADELLIDAESubfamily: DeltocephalinaeSynonym: Endria inimica
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF  iNaturalist                                                                                  
Description: A distinctively marked species, somewhat dark overall in color with a bold pattern. There are a pair of aligned black spots on the margin of the head, the margin of the pronotum and the base of the scutellum (this last pair is larger than the other spots); these spots are spaced an equal distance apart from one another, and one could draw a line through the three dots on the left and the three on the right. (BG)

The nymph is also distinctively marked; it is pale overall except for a single broad dark brown stripe down each side of the thorax and abdomen.

Distribution in North Carolina
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Distribution: North America, except the Southwest (BG)
Abundance: Recorded across the state in all three regions; 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: Common in grasslands and other similar, grassy areas.
Plant Associates: Grasses. Has been taken on Scirpus, Medicago, Poa sp., and Vitis vinifera (DL)
Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a light.
Comment: This species is considered to be an agricultural pest. It is the only known vector of wheat striate mosaic virus (WSMV) in North America and can cause great destruction to fields (WSMV). In fact, this species used to be called "The Destructive Leafhopper" and "The Hurtful Leafhopper," and 'inimica' refers to the destruction this species can cause to fields (EI).
Status: Native
Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Endria inimicus Painted Leafhopper

Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper		Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper
Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
Avery Co.
Comment: grassy, open area with shrubby vegetation and mixed forest nearby
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
Avery Co.
Comment: grassy, open area with shrubby vegetation and mixed forest nearby		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
Avery Co.
Comment: grassy, open area with shrubby vegetation and mixed forest nearby