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

Athysanus argentarius - Silver Leafhopper



© Kyle Kittelberger

© Kyle Kittelberger- note coloration and pattern

© Kyle Kittelberger
Taxonomy
Family: CICADELLIDAESubfamily: Deltocephalinae
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF  iNaturalist                                                                                  
Description: A distinctive leafhopper, nothing else in the state looks like it. A silvery, sometimes light brown color overall with brown lateral stripes on the wings and several dark lateral stripes on the thorax. The outer edge of the wings has a bold pale border, and there is a bold, characteristic black line on the head between the eyes. Adults are 6.5-8 mm long. Nymphs have a grayish body with brown lateral stripes, a pale bold border on the side of the developing wings and abdomen, and a characteristic wide head. (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: Native to Europe, introduced to North America (first NA record in MA in 1920) where it is most common in the Northeast and eastern Canada (BG).
Abundance: Only recorded from a few counties in the mountains, where it is locally common; probably more abundant in the right habitat, especially in the mountains.
Seasonal Occurrence
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Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Coastal and inland grassland areas (BG)
Plant Associates: Grasses; there is some evidence that in North America it prefers introduced species of grasses, such as those found in lawns and hayfields (BG).
Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a light.
Comment: This species has been implicated in the spread of an incurable plant disease called aster yellows (BG), which can destroy the vegetation in a field and even affect nearby trees.
Status: Introduced
Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Athysanus argentarius Silver 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: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper
Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
Caldwell Co.
Comment: found during the day, caught while sweeping
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
Caldwell Co.
Comment: found during the day, caught while sweeping
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
Caldwell Co.
Comment: found during the day, caught while sweeping
Photo by: Paul Scharf
Out Of State Co.
Comment: Attracted to Light
Photo by: Paul Scharf
Out Of State Co.
Comment: Attracted to Light