Hoppers of North Carolina

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

Family (Alpha):

MEMBRACIDAE Members:	NC Records
Telamona tristis - No Common Name

Taxonomy

Family: MEMBRACIDAE	Subfamily: Smiliinae	Tribe: Telamonini
Taxonomic Author: (Fitch, 1851)

Identification

Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF iNaturalist Google
Description: A species that varies greatly in coloration, ranging from a mottled dark to largely yellowish bordered with dark. The key characteristic of this species is the square, block-shape of the crest, which readily differentiates this species from other similar members of the genus. The tegmina is hyaline and tipped with brown. The underside of the thorax is flavous, and the abdomen is brownish. The legs are ferruginous. Adults are 8.0-8.5 mm long (up to 9.5 mm in some individuals), 5 mm wide. (Kopp and Yonke, 1974) Nymphs are grayish-brown overall, typical for the genus.

Distribution in North Carolina

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

Distribution: Eastern and central North America

Abundance: Several records from the Piedmont and mountains, likely more abundant in the state and overlooked, as it is found in the surrounding states.

Seasonal Occurrence

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

Habitats and Life History

Habitats:

Plant Associates: Carpinus caroliniana (American hornbeam), Carya ovata (shagbark hickory), Corylus americana (American hazelnut), Hamamelis virginiana (American witchhazel), Ostrya virginiana (hophornbeam), Quercus alba (white oak), Q. macrocarpa (bur oak), Q. rubra (northern red oak), Q. velutina (black oak), Tilia americana (American basswood) (Wallace 2014).

Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a light.

Comment: This species is perhaps most similar to males of Telamona excelsa and to T. maculata . Note however the color variation and, more importantly, the shape of the crest in T. tristis.

Status: Native

Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Telamona tristis No Common Name
	Photo by: David George, Tracy Feldman, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper, Becky Watkins, Patri Wake Co. Comment: forested slopes near artificial lake; good mix of native trees, including oak, hickory, Carpinus and beech	Photo by: David George, Tracy Feldman, Jeff Niznik, Rich Teper, Becky Watkins, Patri Wake Co. Comment: forested slopes near artificial lake; good mix of native trees, including oak, hickory, Carpinus and beech
	Photo by: Scott Bolick Montgomery Co. Comment:	Photo by: Scott Bolick Montgomery Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Scott Bolick Montgomery Co. Comment:	Photo by: Jim Petranka Madison Co. Comment: total length ca. 9.5 mm.
	Photo by: Jim Petranka Madison Co. Comment: total length ca. 9.5 mm.	Photo by: Jim Petranka Madison Co. Comment: total length ca. 9.5 mm.
	Photo by: Jim Petranka Madison Co. Comment: total length ca. 9.5 mm.; first record for NC, ID supported by M. Wallace	Photo by: Jim Petranka Madison Co. Comment: total length ca. 9.5 mm.; first record for NC, ID supported by M. Wallace

Telamona tristis - No Common Name

Species Photo Gallery for Telamona tristis No Common Name