Hoppers of North Carolina:
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CICADELLIDAE Members: NC Records

Xestocephalus n-species2 - Probable Undescribed Xestocephalus Species

Xestocephalus n-species2
© Kyle Kittelberger- note whitish pronotum		Xestocephalus n-species2
© Kyle Kittelberger- note pattern		Xestocephalus n-species2
© Kyle Kittelberger		Xestocephalus n-species2
© Bo Sullivan
Taxonomy
Family: CICADELLIDAESubfamily: AphrodinaeTribe: Xestocephalini
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF  iNaturalist  Google                                                                                  
Description: This species is mottled in color, with the wing cells an array of orange, brown, white, and black. The pronotum and head are a pale brown with largely scattered whitish patches, strongly contrasting with the wings and giving this species a unique appearance. The head has pale ][ shaped markings on the vertex. The underside is dark brown to blackish, and the female pregenital sternite has a concave posterior margin with a V-shaped notch. This species is large for the genus, being around 3.5 mm long.
Distribution in North Carolina
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Distribution: Eastern United States
Abundance: Recorded from a handful of counties across the state. Possibly more abundant in the right habitat, especially in coastal counties.
Seasonal Occurrence
Jan
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Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Has been found in mixed to open forest habitat.
Plant Associates:
Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a black light
Comment: An "ant guest", it lives as an immature in the tunnels of ant nests where it feeds on the roots of plants. Adults fly around a lot, looking for other ant nests (BG).

Specimens and images on this page represent an apparent [probable] undescribed species that looks similar to X. flavocapitatus, but has a somewhat uniquely marked and colored head and pronotum. This species can also stand out from most other Xestocephalus by typically being larger in size, being around 0.5 to 1 mm or more longer than most members of the genus, which tend to be less than 3 mm long. Recent DNA barcoding revealed specimens of this 'species' indicate it is unrelated to anything presently described. For more images of this potential new species, see: BG.

Status: Native
Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Xestocephalus n-species2 Probable Undescribed Xestocephalus Species 14

Xestocephalus n-species2Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf
Gates Co.
Comment: open, grassy area near mixed hardwood forest		Xestocephalus n-species2Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Moore Co.
Comment: ~3.5 mm, male
Xestocephalus n-species2Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Warren Co.
Comment: 		Xestocephalus n-species2Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Warren Co.
Comment:
Xestocephalus n-species2Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Moore Co.
Comment: ~3.5 mm, male		Xestocephalus n-species2Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Moore Co.
Comment: ~3.5 mm, male
Xestocephalus n-species2Photo by: Paul Scharf
Warren Co.
Comment: Attracted to Black Light		Xestocephalus n-species2Photo by: Paul Scharf
Warren Co.
Comment: Attracted to Black Light
Xestocephalus n-species2Photo by: Paul Scharf
Warren Co.
Comment: Attracted to Black Light		Xestocephalus n-species2Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf
Gates Co.
Comment: open, grassy area near mixed hardwood forest
Xestocephalus n-species2Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Gates Co.
Comment: 		Xestocephalus n-species2Photo by: Scott Bolick
Randolph Co.
Comment:
Xestocephalus n-species2Photo by: Scott Bolick
Randolph Co.
Comment: 		Xestocephalus n-species2Photo by: Scott Bolick
Randolph Co.
Comment: