Hoppers of North Carolina

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

Family (Alpha):

CICADELLIDAE Members:	NC Records
Empoa rubricola - No Common Name

Taxonomy

Family: CICADELLIDAE

Subfamily: Typhlocybinae

Tribe: Typhlocybini

Subgenus: Empoa

Synonym: Typhlocyba rubricola

Taxonomic Author: Christian, 1954

Identification

Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF iNaturalist Google
Description: A pale, yellowish species with a single broad, dark brown transverse band across the middle of the wings, characteristic of this species; this band noticeably tapers near the costal margin, and the center of the band narrows, more so in some individuals. The apical cells of the wing are brownish, with a typically small and indistinct band of brown spots along the apical crossveins; these apical spots are not very pronounced and do not form a bold band across the apical crossveins like in other Empoa species, another key distinguishing characteristic. The head, pronotum, and scutellum are yellowish, with the latter sometimes having orange lateral triangles. Adults are 3.25-3.5 mm long. (Christian, 1953)

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 North America, not very common

Abundance: Recorded from several counties in the Piedmont and mountains, uncommon; possibly more abundant in the right habitat, but not a common species.

Seasonal Occurrence

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

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Has been found near mixed hardwood forest.

Plant Associates: Red oak, pin oak, Quercus sp. (Christian, 1953)

Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a light.

Comment: There is a chance that this species may be synonymous with E. unifasciata. The identity of E. rubricola is unclear and is in need of confirmation. Hamilton's revision of the genus did not treat this species, and the original description is too sparse to be sure of its identity.

Status: Native

Global and State Rank:

See also Habitat Account for General Oak-Hickory Forests

Species Photo Gallery for Empoa rubricola No Common Name 10
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Polk Co. Comment:	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Polk Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Randy Emmitt Orange Co. Comment: uv light	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Out Of State Co. Comment: female
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Out Of State Co. Comment: female	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Out Of State Co. Comment: female
	Photo by: Paul Scharf, B Bockhahn Rockingham Co. Comment: Attracted to Black Light	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Rockingham Co. Comment: found near mixed hardwood forest, in the open
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Rockingham Co. Comment: found near mixed hardwood forest, in the open	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Rockingham Co. Comment: found near mixed hardwood forest, in the open

Empoa rubricola - No Common Name

Species Photo Gallery for Empoa rubricola No Common Name 10