Hoppers of North Carolina

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

Family (Alpha):

CICADELLIDAE Members:	NC Records
Laevicephalus unicoloratus - No Common Name

Taxonomy

Family: CICADELLIDAE

Subfamily: Deltocephalinae

Identification

Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF iNaturalist
Description: A pale yellowish-green to golden yellow species species that is unmarked; it has bold, yellow wing venation that contrasts with the darker wing cells. There is a thin dark midline on the head, and the face and underside of the thorax and abdomen are concolorous with much of the rest of the body (golden yellow). The head is moderately long, a little longer than the basal width between the eyes. The male subgenital plates are distinctive: they are triangular and elongated (longer than in other members of this genus), with finger-like, narrow projections. Additionally, the pygofer (the genital segment under the plates) narrows towards a somewhat pointed apex; in other species, the apex is not tapered to a point. The female pregenital sternite has a truncated projection with some brownish coloration on the projection that extends toward the anterior base of the sternite; the ovipostior is not dark. Adults are between 3.0 and 3.5 mm long. (Ross & Hamilton 1972) For diagrams of this species (note, the diagram of the male plates doesn't quite seem to be completely accurate), see: Zahniser.

Distribution in North Carolina

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

Distribution: Eastern and central North America, west of the Rocky Mountains (Zahniser)

Abundance: Recorded from several counties in the Piedmont and mountains; probably under collected and therefore possibly more abundant in the right habitat.

Seasonal Occurrence

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

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Has been found in grassy areas near mixed hardwood forest and in marsh grass.

Plant Associates: Andropogon spp. (DeLong 1948)

Behavior:

Comment: NOTE: Laevicephalus is a challenging genus to identify without a detailed view of the female pregenital sternite or male subgenital plates. It is therefore important to photograph the undersides of members of this genus for an accurate identification.

Status: Native

Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Laevicephalus unicoloratus No Common Name
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf New Hanover Co. Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.; male	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf New Hanover Co. Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.; male
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf New Hanover Co. Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.; male	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf New Hanover Co. Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.; male
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Wake Co. Comment: brushy habitat near mixed hardwood forest; male, 3.0 mm long	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Wake Co. Comment: brushy habitat near mixed hardwood forest; male, 3.0 mm long
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Wake Co. Comment: brushy habitat near mixed hardwood forest; male, 3.0 mm long	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Wake Co. Comment: brushy habitat near mixed hardwood forest
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Wake Co. Comment: brushy habitat near mixed hardwood forest; note fingerlike projections in subgenital plates	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Wake Co. Comment: brushy habitat near mixed hardwood forest
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Wake Co. Comment: brushy habitat near mixed hardwood forest	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Wake Co. Comment: brushy habitat near mixed hardwood forest
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf Wake Co. Comment: brushy habitat near mixed hardwood forest

Laevicephalus unicoloratus - No Common Name

Species Photo Gallery for Laevicephalus unicoloratus No Common Name