Hoppers of North Carolina

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

Family (Alpha):

DERBIDAE Members:	NC Records
Cedusa zaxoza - No Common Name

Taxonomy

Family: DERBIDAE
Taxonomic Author: (Kramer, 1986)

Identification

Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF iNaturalist
Description: Adults are dark-bluish overall with yellowish-brown legs. There is a slight, faint curved row of white spots at the base of the wing cells, along the apical crossveins; this may not always be very noticeable. The male phallus (reproductive claspers) has two medium-sized, trapezoidal 'plates' that are noticeably projected forward posteriorly on the outer edge; these plates are smaller and distinctive from the phallus of many of the other blue Cedusas (see image above).

Distribution in North Carolina

County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.

Distribution: Southeastern United States; previously only known from Florida, now known from North Carolina (UDEL)

Abundance: Rare, known from a single county on the coast, possibly more abundant in this region.

Seasonal Occurrence

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

Habitats and Life History

Habitats:

Plant Associates: Derbidae are known or assumed to feed on fungal hyphae as immatures (UDEL).

Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a light.

Comment: A majority of Cedusa look very similar externally, appearing bluish overall. The only way to make a positive ID for many of the species at this point is to examine the genitalia of the males. Therefore, a male specimen is necessary for many species' identifications. Detailed, clear photographs of the male underside showing the genitalia can also be helpful, and perhaps the hope is that after observing enough specimens of a particular species, there may be slight external features that can be associated with an ID.

Status:

Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Cedusa zaxoza No Common Name
	Photo by: Bo Sullivan Carteret Co. Comment: female 4.8 mm, photographed by K. Kittelberger; collected at UV trap	Photo by: Bo Sullivan Carteret Co. Comment: female 4.8 mm, photographed by K. Kittelberger; collected at UV trap
	Photo by: Bo Sullivan Carteret Co. Comment: 2 males, 4 females; photographed by K. Kittelberger; collected at UV trap	Photo by: Bo Sullivan Carteret Co. Comment: 2 males, 4 females; photographed by K. Kittelberger; collected at UV trap
	Photo by: Bo Sullivan Carteret Co. Comment: 2 males, 4 females; photographed by K. Kittelberger; collected at UV trap	Photo by: Bo Sullivan Carteret Co. Comment: 2 males, 4 females; photographed by K. Kittelberger; collected at UV trap
	Photo by: Bo Sullivan Carteret Co. Comment: 3 males, 4 females; photographed by K. Kittelberger; collected at UV trap	Photo by: Bo Sullivan Carteret Co. Comment: 3 males, 4 females; photographed by K. Kittelberger; collected at UV trap

Cedusa zaxoza - No Common Name

Species Photo Gallery for Cedusa zaxoza No Common Name