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

Clastoptera saintcyri - Heath Spittlebug


© Harry Wilson- male; note yellow legs
© Kyle Kittelberger- male
© Kyle Kittelberger- female
© Kyle Kittelberger- note face coloration
Taxonomy
Family: CLASTOPTERIDAE
Taxonomic Author: Provancher, 1872 – Heath spittlebug
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF  iNaturalist                                                                                  
Description: A variable species with many color forms. Males are typically almost all black with yellow legs. Some black males also have red eyes and a hint of red on the elytron. The black can vary to a brownish color, and the black can either cover the whole elytron or only part ot it; the underside is typically yellow except for a black band between the eyes. Females are frequently boldly striped with alternating bands of yellow and black on both the wings and thorax and head. In some individuals, part of the yellow markings is replaced with orange. Adult males are 2.7- 3.5 mm long, while females are 3.2- 4.1 mm; see here for a size comparison in a mating pair. (Hamilton, 1982)
Distribution in North Carolina
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Distribution: Eastern North America, west to Wisconsin (BG)
Abundance: Several scattered records across the Piedmont and mountains, with a couple recent records; possibly more abundant in the right habitat.
Seasonal Occurrence
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
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Nov
Dec
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Heath situations in mixed pine-maple forests (BG)
Plant Associates: Nymphs feed on Large Cranberry (Vaccinium mactocarpon) and probably many other Ericaceae (heaths, flowering plants). Adults feed on various Ericaceae, including: Blueberry (Vaccinium sp.), Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), Evergreen shrub (Leucothoe sp.), Huckleberry (Gaylussacia sp.), Leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata), Sweet Gale (Myrica Gale), and Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum). (Hamilton, 1982)
Behavior:
Comment:
Status: Native
Global and State Rank: GNR [G4G5] [S4S5]
See also Habitat Account for General Wet-Dry Heath Thickets

Species Photo Gallery for Clastoptera saintcyri Heath Spittlebug

Photo by: Roger Shaw
Burke Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/52882526; near blueberries		Photo by: Harry Wilson
Wake Co.
Comment:
Photo by: North Carolina State University Insect Collection
Montgomery Co.
Comment: male, pinned specimen		Photo by: North Carolina State University Insect Collection
Montgomery Co.
Comment: male, pinned specimen
Photo by: Harry Wilson
Wake Co.
Comment: male		Photo by: North Carolina State University Insect Collection
Montgomery Co.
Comment: male, pinned specimen
Photo by: North Carolina State University Insect Collection
Montgomery Co.
Comment: female, pinned specimen		Photo by: North Carolina State University Insect Collection
Montgomery Co.
Comment: female, pinned specimen