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

Eupteryx decemnotata - Ligurian Leafhopper


© Rob Van Epps- note wing pattern and coloration
© Rob Van Epps- note head pattern
© David Enrique- note head spots
© David Enrique- note pattern
Taxonomy
Family: CICADELLIDAESubfamily: TyphlocybinaeTribe: TyphlocybiniSubgenus: Eupteryx
Taxonomic Author: (Rey, 1891)
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF  iNaturalist                                                                                  
Description: A fairly distinctively marked species. Wings are yellowish green with characteristic darker polygon-shaped marks scaattered; the apical wing veins are yellow, bordered with dark brown. The scutellum is yellowish, sometimes with two black spots in the middle. The head has a characteristic even number of bold black spots. Usually there are 5 pairs of dots, with four dots along the midline of the vertex, two black marks along the margin of the vertex, and 4 dots in a row across the face; however, spots are sometimes fused together. Adults are between 2 and 3 mm long. (Rung, 2009)
For more images of this species, see: 1, 2, 3.

Nymphs are yellowish overall, with a mottled brownish dorsal surface. There are prominent rows of long spines curving backwards on the dorsal surface as well, giving the nymphs a distinctive appearance.

Distribution in North Carolina
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Distribution: Found throughout Europe; introduced in North America where it is slowly expanding. Most records are from California where it was first detected in 2008; has also been found in New Mexico. This species is relatively scarce in the eastern United States without any clearly established populations; was intercepted in Florida in 2009 and Pennsylvania in 2015; first detected in North Carolina in 2013.
Abundance: Scattered records across the state; unclear what the status of this species is in the state and whether there are any well established populations.
Seasonal Occurrence
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Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Has been found in mixed hardwood forest, but likely found anywhere herbs and ornamentals occur in high number.
Plant Associates: A variety of herbs and ornamentals in the Lamiaceae family: rosemary, sage, majoram, catnip, oregano, lemon balm, peppermint, basil, thyme, etc. (Rung, 2009)
Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a light.
Comment: NOTE: This species is similar to E. melissae, the Sage Leafhopper, another introduced Eupteryx that has been recorded from both sides of the continent. The two can best be distinguished by the markings on the head. In decemnotata, there is an even number of spots, usually 5 pairs but sometimes spots are fused together. In melissae, there is an odd number of spots, usually 5 or 7 spots total with three prominent ones on top of the head. See here for more information and images on how to distinguish the two species: Rung, 2009.

In terms of damage, this species is a mesophyll feeder, puncturing plant cells and causing stippling to leaves. If the density of E. decemnotata becomes too high, significant damage to plants can occur. E. decemnotata can therefore be a major pest species. (Rung, 2009)

Status: Introduced
Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Eupteryx decemnotata Ligurian Leafhopper

Photo by: Erin Price-Erwin
Guilford Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/172255188
Photo by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/115959866		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/91065316
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/84251088		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/82748552
Photo by: Erich Hofmann
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Erich Hofmann
New Hanover Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/80547514		Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 2.7 mm male came to UV light at night
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 2.7 mm male came to UV light at night 		Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 2.7 mm male came to UV light at night
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/80308378		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/77630898
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/77533858		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/75719150
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/75719150		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/75719156
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/75719151		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/75719151
Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: Attracted to UV light. Yard near woods.		Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: Attracted to UV light. Yard near woods.
Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: Attracted to UV light. Yard near woods.		Photo by: David Enrique
Wake Co.
Comment:
Photo by: David Enrique
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: mixed hardwood forest habitat
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: mixed hardwood forest habitat