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

Paraphlepsius operculatus - No Common Name

Paraphlepsius operculatus
© Kyle Kittelberger- note color pattern		Paraphlepsius operculatus
© Kyle Kittelberger- note rounded head		Paraphlepsius operculatus
© Kyle Kittelberger- male; note subgenital plates		Paraphlepsius operculatus
© Kyle Kittelberger- female; note pregenital
sternite
Taxonomy
Family: CicadellidaeSubfamily: DeltocephalinaeTribe: PendariniSubgenus: Gamarex
Taxonomic Author: (Ball, 1927)
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF  iNaturalist  Google                                                                                  
Description: A brownish species with a head and thorax that are slightly paler than the wings, which are densely reticulated. The head is wider than the pronotum, and the crown is short and apically rounded to the face. The female pregenital sternite has a very deep V-shaped medial notch. The male subgenital plates are large and broad with hooked tips (almost resemble crab claws); very distinctive. Adult males are 6.1-7.0 mm long, females are 6.3-7.1 mm. (Hamilton 1975)

For diagrams 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: Eastern United States (Hamilton 1975)
Abundance: Two records from the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, probably under collected and therefore possibly more abundant in the right habitat.
Seasonal Occurrence
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Habitats and Life History
Habitats:
Plant Associates:
Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a light.
Comment: NOTE: Paraphlepsius is a challenging genus to identify, with a majority of the species requiring underside views of the pregenital sternite or male subgenital plates to allow for an identification; even then, an ID may not be possible. It is important to obtain clear, detailed images of the underside; length measurements can help as well. This species in particular is very similar to P. latifrons, differing in the female pregenital sternite.
Status: Native
Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Paraphlepsius operculatus No Common Name

Paraphlepsius operculatusPhoto by: Bo Sullivan
Craven Co.
Comment: female, 7.3 mm		Paraphlepsius operculatusPhoto by: Bo Sullivan
Craven Co.
Comment: female, 7.3 mm
Paraphlepsius operculatusPhoto by: Bo Sullivan
Craven Co.
Comment: female, 7.3 mm		Paraphlepsius operculatusPhoto by: Bo Sullivan
Craven Co.
Comment: female, 7.3 mm
Paraphlepsius operculatusPhoto by: Bo Sullivan
Craven Co.
Comment: female, 7.3 mm		Paraphlepsius operculatusPhoto by: Bo Sullivan
Craven Co.
Comment: female, 7.3 mm
Paraphlepsius operculatusPhoto by: Kyle Kittelberger
Out Of State Co.
Comment: NCSU specimens		Paraphlepsius operculatusPhoto by: Kyle Kittelberger
Out Of State Co.
Comment: NCSU specimens
Paraphlepsius operculatusPhoto by: Kyle Kittelberger
Out Of State Co.
Comment: NCSU specimens		Paraphlepsius operculatusPhoto by: Kyle Kittelberger
Out Of State Co.
Comment: NCSU specimens