Hoppers of North Carolina:
Spittlebugs, Leafhoppers, Treehoppers, and Planthoppers
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CICADELLIDAE Members: NC Records

Empoa scripta - No Common Name


© Kyle Kittelberger- dark form
© Kyle Kittelberger- dark form
© Tom Ward- dark form, note wing pattern
Taxonomy
Family: CICADELLIDAESubfamily: TyphlocybinaeTribe: TyphlocybiniSubgenus: Empoa
Taxonomic Author: (McAtee, 1919)
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF  iNaturalist                                                                                  
Description: A variably patterned species, with the head and pronotum largely yellowish white to yellow and the scutellum a chestnut-brown to dark yellow-brown (this dark coloration can extend onto the pronotum). In dark forms, the tip of the wings are pale and the commissure is either unmarked or with 2 pale spots (the basal one of which is smaller and narrower than the apical one); there is also a transverse "band" extending from the median costal margin of each wing, connecting with the larger dark area. In pale forms, dark markings occur across the middle of the wings forming spots or an irregular band. Teneral individuals are light yellowish brown but have the same color pattern as adults. Adults are 3.25-3.75 mm long. (Christian, 1953, Hamilton 1983)

For additional images of this species, see: BG. For diagrams of the variation in wing pattern, see 3I.

Distribution in North Carolina
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Out of State Record(s)
Distribution: Uncommon but widespread, primarily in eastern North America where it ranges as far south as the southern Appalachian mountains in Tennessee and now North Carolina; also occurs in the Pacific Northwest (3I)
Abundance: Rare, a single recent record from the mountains; likely much more abundant in this part of the state.
Seasonal Occurrence
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Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Woodland
Plant Associates: Betula occidentalis (water birch), Betula papyrifera (paper birch) (3I)
Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a light.
Comment: Dark forms of this species could be confused with Empoa venusta, but note that the dark coloration extends across the entirety of the wing instead of only the basal half.
Status: Native
Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Empoa scripta No Common Name

Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Out Of State Co.
Comment: male		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Out Of State Co.
Comment: male
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Out Of State Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: tom ward
Buncombe Co.
Comment: Empoa scripta requested! i don't think they were as many of these, but do remember checking a few & they were the same thing. didn't see any on a quick look outside just now, but will try to document more!
Photo by: tom ward
Buncombe Co.
Comment: Empoa scripta requested! i don\'t think they were as many of these, but do remember checking a few & they were the same thing. didn\'t see any on a quick look outside just now, but will try to document more!