Hoppers of North Carolina:
Spittlebugs, Leafhoppers, Treehoppers, and Planthoppers
Scientific Name: Search Common Name:
Family (Alpha):
« »
CICADELLIDAE Members: NC Records

Kyboasca maligna - Apple Leafhopper


© Scott Bolick
© Scott Bolick- note lack of black spot on wing
© Scott Bolick- note pattern and coloration
© Scott Bolick- female, note sternite
Taxonomy
Family: CICADELLIDAESubfamily: TyphlocybinaeTribe: Empoascini
Taxonomic Author: (Walsh, 1862)
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF  iNaturalist                                                                                  
Description: A bright green species without any black spots in the wing cells, a key characteristic. The head is blunt, with the vertex parallel margined and broadly rounded anteriorly, only slightly produced beyond the anterior margins of the eyes. The width between the eyes is a little more than twice the length at the middle. The pronotum has prominent lateral angles and appears wider than the head. There is usually a pale median longitudinal stripe on the vertex that extends on to the anterior portion of the pronotum, and a round pale spot on either side of this stripe on the vertex; the posterior margin of the pronotum is pale. The scutellum is a greenish yellow-orange with a bold pale median stripe, widening near the apex. The face, vertex, and pronotum are frequently tinted with orange. The apical fourth of the wings are smoky, contrasting with the bright green coloration of the rest of each wing. The female pregenital sternite has the posterior margin roundedly produced to a central broad, blunt, sunken tooth that is formed by an oblique notch on either side; the shape of the posterior margin may vary slightly among individuals. The male subgenital plates are long and narrow with almost parallel margins to near the base. Adults are 3.5 mm long. (DeLong, 1931)

Nymphs are green overall, with a dark patch on the dorsal surface of the tip of the abdomen and small indistinct dark smudges on the wing pads.

Distribution in North Carolina
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Distribution: Native to Europe, introduced a while back into North America where it is now transcontinental across much of the United States and Canada. Also introduced in New Zealand. (3I)
Abundance: Previously noted to occur in the state, with a map in DeLong (1931) showing a distribution throughout the mountains and Piedmont, but there is a lack of collection records. Recorded recently from a couple counties in the Piedmont.
Seasonal Occurrence
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Habitats and Life History
Habitats:
Plant Associates: Malus domestica, Malus sp. (3I)
Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a light.
Comment:
Status: Introduced
Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Kyboasca maligna Apple Leafhopper

Photo by: Scott Bolick
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Scott Bolick
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Scott Bolick
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Scott Bolick
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Scott Bolick
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Scott Bolick
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Scott Bolick
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Scott Bolick
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Scott Bolick
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Scott Bolick
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Scott Bolick
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Scott Bolick
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Scott Bolick
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Scott Bolick
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Scott Bolick
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Scott Bolick
Forsyth Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Scott Bolick
Forsyth Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Scott Bolick
Forsyth Co.
Comment: