Hoppers of North Carolina

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

Family (Alpha):

Cicadellidae Members:	NC Records
Laevicephalus sylvestris - No Common Name

Taxonomy

Family: Cicadellidae

Subfamily: Deltocephalinae

Identification

Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF iNaturalist Google
Description: A bicolorous species with the head and thorax an ochreous-yellow color with weak but distinct longitudianl green to brown stripes on the pronotum; the rest of the body and wings are dull greenish with a yellow tinge. The wing venation is greenish yellow, broadly margined with fuscous/dark coloration. The head is long and acute, sharply pointed with the vertex 1/4 longer than the width between the eyes; there is a longitudinal median line on the head. The female pregenital sternite has a posterior projection with a somewhat flat edge; the edge of this projection is black, with the color extending inwards, and the ovipositor is black as well. The male subgenital plates are constricted preapically, with the tips diverging from one another outwards over the pygofer. Adults are 3.1-3.5 mm long. (DeLong 1948), (Ross & Hamilton 1972) For diagrams of this species, see: Zahniser. For additional images of a male, see: BG.

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: Eastern and central North America

Abundance: Scattered records across the state; likely 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: Grassy, brushy field-type habitat

Plant Associates: Danthonia spicata, other grasses

Behavior: Occurs often with L. melsheimerii due to Danthonia association.

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 sylvestris No Common Name
	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Caught sweeping in weedy field.	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Caught sweeping in weedy field.
	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Caught sweeping in weedy field.	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Caught sweeping in weedy field.
	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Grassy field.	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Grassy field.
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Out Of State Co. Comment: female; 3.1 mm	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Out Of State Co. Comment: female; 3.1 mm
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Out Of State Co. Comment: female; 3.1 mm	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Avery Co. Comment: grassy, brushy field-type habitat in old christmas tree farm; nymph and adult
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Avery Co. Comment: grassy, brushy field-type habitat in old christmas tree farm; nymph and adult	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Avery Co. Comment: grassy, brushy field-type habitat in old christmas tree farm; nymph and adult
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Avery Co. Comment: grassy, brushy field-type habitat in old christmas tree farm; nymph and adult	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Avery Co. Comment: grassy, brushy field-type habitat in old christmas tree farm; nymph and adult
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Avery Co. Comment: grassy, brushy field-type habitat in old christmas tree farm; nymph and adult	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Avery Co. Comment: grassy, brushy field-type habitat in old christmas tree farm; nymph and adult
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Avery Co. Comment: grassy, brushy field-type habitat in old christmas tree farm; nymph and adult

Laevicephalus sylvestris - No Common Name

Species Photo Gallery for Laevicephalus sylvestris No Common Name