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

Aphrophora quadrinotata - Four-spotted Spittlebug


© Kyle Kittelberger- side view
© Kyle Kittelberger- top view
© Kyle Kittelberger
© Kyle Kittelberger- nymph
Taxonomy
Family: APHROPHORIDAE
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF  iNaturalist                                                                                  
Description: A brownish species with four white/pale "spots" on the wings, two on each side, and black markings over the body, especially between the spots (forming a blackish "V"). The wings are evenly curved at the tips, more so than other members of Aphrophora, and are widest at the midlength. The wings are also heavily pitted, characteristic of members of this genus. The top of the head is relatively flat. Adult males are 6.1-8.0 mm long, females are 6.8-9.1 mm. (Hamilton, 1982)

Nymphs are yellow and brown. BugGuide

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: A common understory species recorded across the eastern U.S., with records as far north as Canada and as far west as Texas, per BugGuide.
Abundance: Recorded across the state, with a majority of records in the mountains where it is uncommon. Possibly more abundant in the right habitat.
Seasonal Occurrence
Jan
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Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Eastern woodlands
Plant Associates: Polyphagous, nymphs recorded from forbs (any broad-leafed herb), such as goldenrod, grape vines (Vitis sp.), grasses; also alder (Alnus sp.), blackberry (Rubus hispidus), oaks (Quercus sp.), poplar (Populus sp.), etc. (DL), (Hamilton, 1982). However, this species primarily tends to be on woody plants (V. Thompson, pers. comment).
Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a light.
Comment: In the Northeast, this species closely resembles the European Alder Spittlebug (A. alni), which can be told apart by its larger size (males are 8.4-9.6 mm, females 9.0-10.0 mm), thick blunt head and the forewings being strongly curved near the base (Hamilton, 1982). Perhaps in the future, A. alni will be found in the Appalachians; it is currently spreading westwards across the Northeast, recorded as far south as Pennsylvania.
Status: Native
Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Aphrophora quadrinotata Four-spotted Spittlebug

Photo by: B. Bockhahn
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Watauga Co.
Comment: came to UV light and sheet at night
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Watauga Co.
Comment: came to UV light and sheet at night		Photo by: K. Bischof
Transylvania Co.
Comment: GORG
Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Watauga Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_spittlebug
Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_spittlebug		Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_spittlebug
Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment:
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_spittlebug		Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_spittlebug
Photo by: K. Bischof
Transylvania Co.
Comment: GORG		Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_spittlebug
Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_spittlebug		Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_spittlebug
Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_spittlebug		Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_spittlebug
Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_spittlebug		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: 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: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper
Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper		Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Vin Stanton
Buncombe Co.
Comment: Semi-wooded residential neighborhood
Photo by: Jim Petranka
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Yancey Co.
Comment: mixed forest, 6000 ft elevation
Photo by: Vin Stanton
Buncombe Co.
Comment: semi wooded residential neighborhood		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Out Of State Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Out Of State Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Out Of State Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
Avery Co.
Comment: grassy, brushy habitat and forest edge/interior		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
Avery Co.
Comment: grassy, brushy habitat and forest edge/interior
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
Avery Co.
Comment: grassy, brushy habitat and forest edge/interior; nymph		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
Avery Co.
Comment: grassy, brushy habitat and forest edge/interior
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
Avery Co.
Comment: open area near mixed hardwood forest		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
Avery Co.
Comment: open area near mixed hardwood forest
Photo by: Paul Scharf
Warren Co.
Comment: Caught sweeping		Photo by: Paul Scharf
Warren Co.
Comment: Caught sweeping