Hoppers of North Carolina:
Spittlebugs, Leafhoppers, Treehoppers, and Planthoppers
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Pissonotus binotatus Spooner, 1912 - No Common Name     DELPHACIDAE Members: NC Records Public View

© Kyle Kittelberger- brachypter female
© Kyle Kittelberger- dark brachypter female
© Kyle Kittelberger- note face, antennal, and leg
patterns
© Kyle Kittelberger- macropter
synonym
description A variable species, ranging in color from bright orange to nearly black. For brachypterous individuals, the tips of the wings are white; otherwise, the body is mostly the same color. There is a black band across the clypeus on the face. The first antennal segment is black, and there is a black line across the front of the second antennal segment; there also black lines on the front of the legs. Macropterous individuals have clear wings but otherwise the same pattern and colors at brachypters. Adult brachypterous males are around 1.77 mm long, while females are around 2.36 mm; macropterous males are around 2.84 mm long while females are around 3.07 mm. (Bartlett & Deitz, 2000)

Nymphs are entirely orange.

distribution Eastern United States; also Bermuda (UDEL)
abundance A fairly common species, recorded across the state.
seasonal_occurrence
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
habitat Grassy areas
plant associates Most easily found on Conyza canadensis (Canadian horseweed; especially in well-drained situations were the plant perpetuates, less often in fallow fields); also Eupatorium (thoroughwort) (Asteraceae) (UDEL) and Erigeron (BG).
behavior
comments Bartlett states: "Morgan and Beamer (1949: 132) noted, "The body color of this species varies greatly with the season in which they are collected. The summer forms are usually honey-colored and those taken during the winter or early spring are almost black." A long series collected in Bladen Co., NC, in September included both color morphs (for brachypters and macropters), with the lighter morph dominant." (Bartlett & Deitz, 2000)

This species is very similar to P. delicatus and can only reliably be distinguished by genitalia. However, binotatus is the much more common and expected species in North Carolina, with delicatus more commonly found along the coast. Macropterous individuals of binotatus could also be confused with P. brunneus macrotpers. However, brunneus lacks the black line on the second antennal segment (segment is pale) and binotatus tends to be quite shiny while brunneus is more dull colored.

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 Delphacini
subgenus

Species Photo Gallery for Pissonotus binotatus No Common Name

Photo by: Paul Scharf
Warren Co.
Comment: Caught Sweeping		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf
Beaufort Co.
Comment: grassy, brushy habitat in a pine dominated forest; 5 long-winged adults
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf
Beaufort Co.
Comment: grassy, brushy habitat in a pine dominated forest; 5 long-winged adults		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf
Beaufort Co.
Comment: grassy, brushy habitat in a pine dominated forest
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf
Beaufort Co.
Comment: grassy, brushy habitat in a pine dominated forest		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf
Beaufort Co.
Comment: grassy, brushy habitat in a pine dominated forest
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf
Beaufort Co.
Comment: grassy, brushy habitat in a pine dominated forest		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf
Beaufort Co.
Comment: grassy, brushy habitat in a pine dominated forest
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Cumberland Co.
Comment: attracted at night with a light		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Cumberland Co.
Comment: attracted at night with a light
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Cumberland Co.
Comment: attracted at night with a light		Photo by: unknown
Out Of State Co.
Comment: malernphotos provided by C.R. Bartlett
Photo by: unknown
Out Of State Co.
Comment: malernphotos provided by C.R. Bartlett		Photo by: unknown
Out Of State Co.
Comment: malernphotos provided by C.R. Bartlett
Photo by: unknown
Swain Co.
Comment: UDCC_TCN 00005712rnmalernphotos provided by C.R. Bartlett		Photo by: unknown
Swain Co.
Comment: UDCC_TCN 00005712rnmalernphotos provided by C.R. Bartlett
Photo by: unknown
Swain Co.
Comment: UDCC_TCN 00005712rnmalernphotos provided by C.R. Bartlett		Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: Caught sweeping in grassy area along greenway.