Hoppers of North Carolina

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

Family (Alpha):

MEMBRACIDAE Members:	NC Records
Enchenopa on-prunus - Undescribed Enchenopa on Prunus

Taxonomy

Family: MEMBRACIDAE

Subfamily: Membracinae

Tribe: Membracini

Identification

Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF iNaturalist Google
Description: A dark, blackish-brown species with two distinctive yellowish marks down the back. The wings are mostly concolorous with the rest of the body, with rufous-tinted tips. Sexes can be distinguished from one another by the length of the horn- in females, the horn is noticeably long and prominent, while in males the horn is much smaller, sometimes nothing more than a little nub. Egg masses are whitish in color, resembling raised shells on a stem. Nymphs are yellowish-brown, with a small forward-facing horn and spines down the middle of the abdomen. See here for a nice depiction of the life cycle of nymphs of this genus. For more pics of this species, see: BG.

Distribution in North Carolina

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

Distribution: Eastern and central United States

Abundance: Recorded from a single county in the mountains and Piedmont, likely found throughout much of the state where Prunus is present.

Seasonal Occurrence

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

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Mixed hardwood forests

Plant Associates: Black cherry (Prunus serotina)

Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a light.

Comment: Recent studies have shown that there are a number of undescribed species within the Enchenopa binotata species complex, with each undescribed species feeding on a specific, different host plant. These host plants include Cercis (redbud), Juglans (walnut), Prunus (cherry), and Viburnum. Adults of the various species cannot be distinguished from one another, so it is imperative to record the host plant that Enchenopa individuals are found on.

Status: Native

Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Enchenopa on-prunus Undescribed Enchenopa on Prunus 5
	Photo by: Denise Williams Caldwell Co. Comment:	Photo by: Denise Williams Caldwell Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Denise Williams Caldwell Co. Comment:	Photo by: Denise Williams Caldwell Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Denise Williams Caldwell Co. Comment:

Enchenopa on-prunus - Undescribed Enchenopa on Prunus

Species Photo Gallery for Enchenopa on-prunus Undescribed Enchenopa on Prunus 5