Hoppers of North Carolina

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

Family (Alpha):

CLASTOPTERIDAE Members:	NC Records
Clastoptera laevigata - No Common Name

Taxonomy

Family: CLASTOPTERIDAE
Taxonomic Author: Hamilton 2015

Identification

Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF iNaturalist Google
Description: A striking species with at least two color varieties, perhaps pertaining to different sexes. A "black and white" form has large black patches across the main body with a whitish, cream-colored crooked band running across the wings. The upper rear part of the body is brownish in color, surrounded by whitish wing cells with black speckling. The head is cream-colored with three rows of black marks- the first row, between the eyes, has 2 (or 3) dots on each side of the midline on the pronotum; the second row, above the eyes, has 3 dots on each side of the midline; and the third row has two "dashes" on each side of the midline. The amount of white/cream color on the base of the head closest to the rest of the body differs between individuals, with some specimens showing black closer to the third row of marks. The scutellum color of "black and white" individuals also differs, with some specimens showing a white/cream colored scutellum while other individuals have a mostly black scutellum. The "brown" color variety has large dark brown patches across the main body. The cream colored crooked band is less distinct in these individuals, and a majority of the scutellum and pronotum is brownish. The distinct head markings are present though, with at least the first two rows of marks typically visible. All individuals have a pale face concolorous with the pronotum, with a bold black band across the bottom of the face.

Distribution in North Carolina

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

Distribution: There are recent records from Maryland, North Carolina, and Tennessee (BG).

Abundance: This species has only been recorded from a couple counties so far; likely more common in the right habitat, but probably an uncommon species in its range.

Seasonal Occurrence

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

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Has been recorded in mixed hardwood forest habitat.

Plant Associates: Hackberry (Celtis)

Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a light.

Comment: Named for its host plant, Celtis laevigata. Described in 2015, this was previously recorded as C. laenata which is actually a tropical species. (BG)

Status: Native

Global and State Rank:

See also Habitat Account for Rich Wet-Dry Hardwood Forests

Species Photo Gallery for Clastoptera laevigata No Common Name
	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Attracted to UV light. Suburban yard near woods.	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Attracted to UV light. Suburban yard near woods.
	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Attracted to UV light. Suburban yard near woods.	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Attracted to UV light. Suburban yard near woods.
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Wake Co. Comment: mixed hardwood forest habitat	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Wake Co. Comment: mixed hardwood forest habitat
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Orange Co. Comment: Mixed hardwood forest edge habitat. Male and female? An undescribed species, currently in the process of being described.	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Orange Co. Comment: Mixed hardwood forest edge habitat. Male and female? An undescribed species, currently in the process of being described.
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Orange Co. Comment: Mixed hardwood forest edge habitat. Male and female? An undescribed species, currently in the process of being described.	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Orange Co. Comment: Mixed hardwood forest edge habitat. Male and female? An undescribed species, currently in the process of being described.
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Orange Co. Comment: Mixed hardwood forest edge habitat. Male and female. An undescribed species, currently in the process of being described.	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Orange Co. Comment: Mixed hardwood forest edge habitat. Male and female? An undescribed species, currently in the process of being described.
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Orange Co. Comment: Mixed hardwood forest edge habitat. Male and female? An undescribed species, currently in the process of being described.	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Wake Co. Comment: mixed hardwood forest habitat

Clastoptera laevigata - No Common Name

Species Photo Gallery for Clastoptera laevigata No Common Name