Hoppers of North Carolina

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

Family (Alpha):

Cicadellidae Members:	NC Records
Chlorotettix rugicollis - No Common Name

Taxonomy

Family: Cicadellidae	Subfamily: Deltocephalinae	Tribe: Pendarini
Taxonomic Author: (Ball, 1903)

Identification

Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF iNaturalist Google
Description: Greenish overall with a transverse red transverse band on the margin of the vertex/ top of the face, sometimes becoming pale orange and extending across the eyes; some individuals though vary in the extent of reddish color, ranging to being heavily marked with red (the face, pronotum, scutellum, and thorax can be occasionally red, sometimes more). The wings of males are usually tinged with a tawny brown color; wing venation is large and distinct. The vertex is broadly and obtusely rounded, with the median length almost equal to the length next to the eye. The female pregenital sternite is deeply and triangularly excavated, with a somewhat long but thin tooth/process in the middle that extends posteriorly from the apex of the excavation; the lateral angles are rounded. The male genital plates are long and triangular, with the margins sparsely haired. Adult males are 5.3 to 6.2 mm long, females are around 6.0 to 6.7 mm. (DeLong 1948, DeLong 1918, Cwikla 1988) For diagrams of the genitalia of this species, see: Dmitriev.

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: Southeastern United States

Abundance: Recorded from several counties in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain; likely under collected and therefore under reported.

Seasonal Occurrence

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

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Grassy areas, has been found in a marsh

Plant Associates: Grasses; has been found in an area with black needlerush and spartina, among other marsh grasses

Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a light.

Comment: NOTE: Chlorotettix is a notriously difficult genus to identify to species visually; a majority of the species are various shade of yellow and green, and they can only be reliably distinguished by looking at genital features. Therefore, it is very important for all Chlorotettix species other than necopinus and tergatus to obtain a picture of the underside.

This species resembles C. spatulatus but has a broader vertex and a red or orange transverse band on the margin of the vertex and between the eyes. The female pregenital sternite is very similar to that of spatulatus. (DeLong 1918)

Status: Native

Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Chlorotettix rugicollis No Common Name
	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Caught sweeping in a weedy, brushy power line.	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Caught sweeping in a weedy, brushy power line.
	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Caught sweeping in a weedy, brushy power line.	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Caught sweeping in a weedy, brushy power line.
	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Caught sweeping in a weedy, brushy power line.	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Caught sweeping in a weedy, brushy power line.
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf New Hanover Co. Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.; female, 7.2 mm	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf New Hanover Co. Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.; female, 7.2 mm
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf New Hanover Co. Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.; female, 7.2 mm	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf New Hanover Co. Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.; female, 7.2 mm
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Out Of State Co. Comment: male and female; NCSU specimens	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Out Of State Co. Comment: male and female; NCSU specimens

Chlorotettix rugicollis - No Common Name

Species Photo Gallery for Chlorotettix rugicollis No Common Name