Hoppers of North Carolina

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

Family (Alpha):

APHROPHORIDAE Members:	NC Records
Philaronia canadensis - No Common Name

Taxonomy

Family: APHROPHORIDAE

Subfamily: Aphrophorinae

Tribe: Philaenini

Synonym: Philaronia abjecta provana

Taxonomic Author: Walley, 1929

Identification

Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF iNaturalist Google
Description: This species externally resembles the Meadow Spittlebug (Philaenus spumarius) but does not have the raised wing veins of Philaenus. Unlike Philaenus, in which the wing veins are not distinct, Philaronia have dark, distinct [and noticeable] veins that branch towards the edges of the wings. This is a dark species (as seen in the pics above), with a combination of gray and black on the body. The wings are covered with pale hairs, characteristic of this genus, that stand out against the dark body (see pics above); in Philaenus, the hairs are not as prominent as they are transparent and blend in with the underlying wing color. For a nice comparison between wings of Philaronia vs. Philaenus, showing hairs and veination, click here. The antennal ledge, located above the base of the antennae, is also contrastingly redder than the rest of the face. Females, which have dark faces, are 6.0-6.7 mm in length while males, which have a mostly yellowish face, are 5.4-6.2 mm long. (BG). This is also the only spittlebug genus with orange nymphs; click here for an image of a Philaronia nymph.

Distribution in North Carolina

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

Distribution: Found in the eastern U.S., from Ontario south to South Carolina; this is a rare species [and genus] (BG).

Abundance: A rare species, P. canadensis has only been recorded from a single county. However, it has previously been reported to occur in the state per the literature.

Seasonal Occurrence

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

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Has been recorded recently in a montane meadow with brushy vegetation; there is probably a higher likelihood of finding this species where there is Goldenrod. Additionally, in Ontario this species has been found in river bottoms and along lake shores (BG).

Plant Associates: Nymphs probably feed on the subterranean parts of herbaceous plants; adults have been found on Goldenrod (Solidago) (Hamilton, 1982)

Behavior:

Comment: NOTE: There are potentially some unresolved taxonomic issues within this genus that pertain to the validity of P. canadensis (some authors consider it a synonym of P. abjecta). For more on this, see: BG.

Status: Native

Global and State Rank: GNR [G3G4] [S3S4]

Species Photo Gallery for Philaronia canadensis No Common Name
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Mitchell Co. Comment: grassy, brushy vegetation in the open on the top of the mountain; the bald. A male	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Mitchell Co. Comment: grassy, brushy vegetation in the open on the top of the mountain; the bald. A male
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Mitchell Co. Comment: grassy, brushy vegetation in the open on the top of the mountain; the bald. A male	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Mitchell Co. Comment:

Philaronia canadensis - No Common Name

Species Photo Gallery for Philaronia canadensis No Common Name