Hoppers of North Carolina

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

Family (Alpha):

DELPHACIDAE Members:	NC Records
Spartidelphax penedetectus - No Common Name

Taxonomy

Family: DELPHACIDAE	Synonym: Delphacodes penedetecta,Spartidelphax penedetecta
Taxonomic Author: (Beamer, 1950)

Identification

Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF iNaturalist Google
Description: A pale, whitish species with a robust body. The head, including the eyes, are slightly larger than the pronotum, and the vertex in dorsal view projects past the eyes. Macropters (long-winged) are darker than brachypters, with the abdomen and lateral portion of the mesonotum a brownish color. However, macropterous wings are clear (just like brachypterous wings) and extend past the length of the abdomen. Both Spartidelphax species are extremely similar, though S. penedetectus is slightly larger than detectus. The best field mark for differentiating the two species without dissection is the length of the vertex. In S. penedetectus, the vertex is nearly 1.5 (range around 1.34 to 1.5) times longer than it is wide; in S. detectus, the vertex is slightly shorter, being about 1.3 (range around 1.25 to 1.31) times longer than wide. Note the slight difference in the lengths with these two specimens. In penedetectus, brachypter males have an average body length of 2.33 mm while macropters have an average of 3.79 mm; female brachypters have an average length of 3.06 mm while macropters have an average of 4.07 mm. In detectus, brachypter males have an average body length of 2.28 mm while macropters have an average of 3.29 mm; female brachypters have an average length of 2.89 mm while macropters have an average of 3.61 mm. Looking at male genitalia, the aedeagus of penedetectus has ventral teeth or fine serrulations, while in detectus is has long rows of lateral teeth extending beyond the distal third of the aedeagus. Nymphs of this genus are whitish overall. For more information on Spartidelphax and differentiating to the two species, see: Bartlett 2014.

Distribution in North Carolina

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

Distribution: Coastal Eastern United States, from Texas to New Jersey (UDEL)

Abundance: Recorded along the coast where it can be locally abundant. Likely found throughout our coastal habitats where suitable habitat exists.

Seasonal Occurrence

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

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Coastal marsh grass, spartina in particular

Plant Associates: Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass) (UDEL)

Behavior:

Comment:

Status: Native

Global and State Rank: GNR [G4G5] [S3S4]

See also Habitat Account for Salt and Brackish Marshes

Species Photo Gallery for Spartidelphax penedetectus No Common Name
	Photo by: Bo Sullivan Carteret Co. Comment:	Photo by: Bo Sullivan Carteret Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Bo Sullivan Carteret Co. Comment:	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf New Hanover Co. Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.; male, brachypter, 2.6 mm
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf New Hanover Co. Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.; male, 2.6 mm	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf New Hanover Co. Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Carteret Co. Comment: macropters and brachypters; plentiful on Spartina	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Carteret Co. Comment: macropters and brachypters; plentiful on Spartina
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Carteret Co. Comment: macropters and brachypters; plentiful on Spartina	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Carteret Co. Comment: macropters and brachypters; plentiful on Spartina
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Carteret Co. Comment: macropters and brachypters; plentiful on Spartina	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Beaufort Co. Comment: coastal, mostly cordgrass habitat
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Beaufort Co. Comment: coastal, mostly cordgrass habitat	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Beaufort Co. Comment: coastal, mostly cordgrass habitat
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Beaufort Co. Comment: coastal, mostly cordgrass habitat	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Beaufort Co. Comment: coastal, mostly cordgrass habitat
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Beaufort Co. Comment: coastal, mostly cordgrass habitat	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Beaufort Co. Comment: coastal, mostly cordgrass habitat
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Beaufort Co. Comment: coastal, mostly cordgrass habitat	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Beaufort Co. Comment: coastal, mostly cordgrass habitat
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Beaufort Co. Comment: coastal, mostly cordgrass habitat	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Beaufort Co. Comment: coastal, mostly cordgrass habitat
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Beaufort Co. Comment: coastal, mostly cordgrass habitat	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Beaufort Co. Comment: coastal, mostly cordgrass habitat
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Beaufort Co. Comment: coastal, mostly cordgrass habitat

Spartidelphax penedetectus - No Common Name

Species Photo Gallery for Spartidelphax penedetectus No Common Name