Hoppers of North Carolina

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

Family (Alpha):

Melanoliarus aridus (Ball, 1902) - No Common Name CIXIIDAE Members:			NC Records	Public View

synonym

description

This species has a distinctive wing pattern. There are three spots in a diagonal line on each wing (in some bold specimens, these dots connect). The base of the wings are often dark, though this is not always present in some individuals. The wings are typically milky subhyaline but sometimes vitreous (clear). The wing veins are typically pale yellow basally, becoming brownish towards the apex; the stigma is light to dark brown. Overall, the coloration of this species is usually a reddish/brickish color, although it can range towards black. The vertex and mesonotum range in color from piceous (glossy brownish-black) to castaneous (chestnut), and the mesonotal carinae are concolorous in some specimens, but usually a dull orange or yellow-brown. The vertex is broad, with the median length equal to or exceeding the width at the apex of the posterior emargination. The face has various coloration but is usually chestnut- the median carinae are usually orange. However, there are two distinctive pale spots on the frons, characteristic of this species. The eyes are speckled, also characteristic of this species. Adult males are 5.9-8.4 mm long. (Mead & Kramer, 1982; S. Hendrix, pers. comments)

For more images of this species, see: BG. For images of pinned specimens, see: BOLD.

distribution

The most widely distributed North American species of Melanoliarus, it is found throughout most of the United States except for the Northeast; also southern Ontario and Mexico (UDEL)

abundance

Previously reported from the state; recently recorded from the Piedmont. Likely abundant across the state.

seasonal_occurrence

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

habitat

plant associates

Adults have been collected from the following plants: Helianthus sp., Prunus persica, Vernonia interior, Polygonum sp., Medicago sativa, Apium graveolens, Prunus cerasus, Citrus paradisi, Carya sp., grass sp., Gossypium sp., Tillandsia usneoides, Quercus virginiana, Zea mays, Zanthoxylum clavaherculis. (Mead & Kramer, 1982)

"Nymphs of cixiids are subterranean, feeding on roots and possibly fungi. The significance of adult host records is unclear. Many cixiids are presumed to be polyphagous (as adults), most often on woody plants." (UDEL)

behavior

Can be attracted at night with a light.

comments

Melanoliarus is a very difficult genus to identify most species based on photos. M. aridus can be possible to ID though, as it is one of the more distinctive species, particularly in the East where there are fewer similar species. Key characteristics for M. aridus are the three diagonal black spots on the wings, the [typical] dark wing bases, the two pale spots on the frons, and the speckled eyes (it is the only species in the East with speckled eyes outside of FL and TX).

The most similar eastern species is probably M. placitus, though this is a more robust species with different markings. In typical male placitus, the dark markings on the wing along the pronotum extend downwards along the commissure of the wings, forming a Y-shape. There is one spot on each wing bordering the dark line, and in bolder individuals there are dark cross veins in a diagonal pattern down from the dark spot. In typical female placitus, there are very fuscous markings across the wings.

status

[Native:] [Introduced:] [Extirpated:]

list_type

[Official:] [Provisional:]

adult_id

Unmistakable and widely known Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens
Identifiable from photos showing undersides, or other specialized views [e.g., legs, face]
Identifiable only by close inspection of structural features or by DNA analysis NULL

nymph_id

Unmistakable and widely known Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants
Identifiable from close inspection of specimens or by DNA analysis
Identifiable only through rearing to adulthood NULL

G_rank

S_rank

rank_comments

tribe

Pentastirini

subgenus

Species Photo Gallery for Melanoliarus aridus No Common Name
	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/58279294	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/58279294
	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/58279294	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/58279294
	Photo by: JM Leavengood jr, D. McCoy, A. Cisneros, and A. Garza Out Of State Co. Comment: male. coll. between September 25 and October 5 2016; coll. JM Leavengood jr, D. McCoy, A. Cisneros, and A. Garza. MALE.rnidentifier: UDCC_TCN 00072488	Photo by: JM Leavengood jr, D. McCoy, A. Cisneros, and A. Garza Out Of State Co. Comment: male. coll. between September 25 and October 5 2016; coll. JM Leavengood jr, D. McCoy, A. Cisneros, and A. Garza. MALE.rnidentifier: UDCC_TCN 00072488
	Photo by: JM Leavengood jr, D. McCoy, A. Cisneros, and A. Garza Out Of State Co. Comment: male. coll. between September 25 and October 5 2016; coll. JM Leavengood jr, D. McCoy, A. Cisneros, and A. Garza. MALE.rnidentifier: UDCC_TCN 00072488	Photo by: JM Leavengood jr, D. McCoy, A. Cisneros, and A. Garza Out Of State Co. Comment: coll. August 9-16, 2016; JM Leavengood jr, D. McCoy, A. Cisneros, and A. GarzarnUDCC_TCN 00044600
	Photo by: JM Leavengood jr, D. McCoy, A. Cisneros, and A. Garza Out Of State Co. Comment: coll. August 9-16, 2016; JM Leavengood jr, D. McCoy, A. Cisneros, and A. GarzarnUDCC_TCN 00044600	Photo by: JM Leavengood jr, D. McCoy, A. Cisneros, and A. Garza Out Of State Co. Comment: coll. August 9-16, 2016; JM Leavengood jr, D. McCoy, A. Cisneros, and A. GarzarnUDCC_TCN 00044600
	Photo by: JM Leavengood jr, D. McCoy, A. Cisneros, and A. Garza Out Of State Co. Comment: collected between August 31 and September 6, 2016rncoll. JM Leavengood jr, D. McCoy, A. Cisneros, and A. GarzarnUDCC_TCN 00072553	Photo by: JM Leavengood jr, D. McCoy, A. Cisneros, and A. Garza Out Of State Co. Comment: collected between August 31 and September 6, 2016rncoll. JM Leavengood jr, D. McCoy, A. Cisneros, and A. GarzarnUDCC_TCN 00072553
	Photo by: JM Leavengood jr, D. McCoy, A. Cisneros, and A. Garza Out Of State Co. Comment: collected between August 31 and September 6, 2016rncoll. JM Leavengood jr, D. McCoy, A. Cisneros, and A. GarzarnUDCC_TCN 00072553	Photo by: krkimray Cabarrus Co. Comment:
	Photo by: C.S. Brimley Wake Co. Comment: specimen ID: NCSU_ENT 00227273; coll. July 23, 1926; det. S.V. Hendrix, photos by S.V. Hendrix; specimen on loan from NCSU to UD	Photo by: C.S. Brimley Wake Co. Comment: specimen ID: NCSU_ENT 00227273; coll. July 23, 1926; det. S.V. Hendrix, photos by S.V. Hendrix; specimen on loan from NCSU to UD
	Photo by: C.S. Brimley Wake Co. Comment: specimen ID: NCSU_ENT 00227273; coll. July 23, 1926; det. S.V. Hendrix, photos by S.V. Hendrix; specimen on loan from NCSU to UD	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Caught sweeping in grassy field.
	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Caught sweeping in grassy field.	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Caught sweeping in grassy field.

Species Photo Gallery for Melanoliarus aridus No Common Name