Hoppers of North Carolina:
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MEMBRACIDAE Members: NC Records

Telamona tristis - No Common Name


© Jim Petranka- note shape of pronotum
© Jim Petranka
© Scott Bolick
© David George
Taxonomy
Family: MEMBRACIDAESubfamily: SmiliinaeTribe: Telamonini
Taxonomic Author: (Fitch, 1851)
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF  iNaturalist                                                                                  
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
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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