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

Macropsis fumipennis - Honeylocust Leafhopper


© Kyle Kittelberger- female; note coloration
© Kyle Kittelberger- female; note head width
Taxonomy
Family: CicadellidaeSubfamily: EurymelinaeTribe: MacropsiniSubgenus: Neomacropsis
Taxonomic Author: (Gillette & Baker, 1895)
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF  iNaturalist                                                                                  
Description: Adults have the head narrower than the pronotum, and the pronotum is finely textured. Males are either an unmarked green (yellow when dry) or dark with wings that are smoky to dark brown except for a contrasting green to yellow costal margin (characteristic of this species). The scutellum and posterior half of the pronotum can also be smoky to brown, and the face in profile is distinctly bowed. Females have a face in profile that is weakly bowed. Females are colored similar to the male but are usually not dark; dark females are rare. Adult males are around 4.2-4.8 mm long, while females are 4.6-5.2 mm. (Hamilton 1983)

Nymphs are nearly hairless and are pale green to yellowish-green with a fuscous or golden-orange wash above. (Hamilton 1983)

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: Primarily eastern and central United States, into the Southwest
Abundance: Several scattered records from the mountains and Piedmont; probably more abundant in the right habitat.
Seasonal Occurrence
Jan
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Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Forested areas
Plant Associates: Monophagous on Honey-locust (Gleditsia triacanthos), a popular ornamental tree that is widely planted outside its native range in eastern-central United States. The only macropsine that feeds on Honey-locust. (Hamilton 1983)
Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a light.
Comment: This species can [typically] be distinguished from other Macropsis by the contrasting green costal margins of the wings in males. Paler individuals may resemble other Macropsis, but can be distinguished by the short crown, head narrower than the thorax, and distinctly oblique pronotal striae. (Hamilton 1983)
Status: Native
Global and State Rank:
See also Habitat Account for Honey Locust Groves

Species Photo Gallery for Macropsis fumipennis Honeylocust Leafhopper

Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Out Of State Co.
Comment: female, 5.5 mm		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Out Of State Co.
Comment: female, 5.5 mm
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Out Of State Co.
Comment: female, 5.5 mm