Hoppers of North Carolina:
Spittlebugs, Leafhoppers, Treehoppers, and Planthoppers
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Endria inimicus (Say, 1831) - Painted Leafhopper     CICADELLIDAE Members: NC Records Public View

© Kyle Kittelberger- side view
© Kyle Kittelberger- top view; note the 3 pairs
of black spots
synonym Endria inimica
description A distinctively marked species, somewhat dark overall in color with a bold pattern. There are a pair of aligned black spots on the margin of the head, the margin of the pronotum and the base of the scutellum (this last pair is larger than the other spots); these spots are spaced an equal distance apart from one another, and one could draw a line through the three dots on the left and the three on the right. (BG)

The nymph is also distinctively marked; it is pale overall except for a single broad dark brown stripe down each side of the thorax and abdomen.

For additional diagrams of this species, see: 3I.

distribution North America, except the Southwest (3I)
abundance Recorded across the state in all three regions; probably more abundant in the right habitat.
seasonal_occurrence
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
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Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
habitat Common in grasslands and other similar, grassy areas.
plant associates Grasses. Has been taken on Scirpus, Medicago, Poa sp., and Vitis vinifera (DL)
behavior Can be attracted at night with a light.
comments This species is considered to be an agricultural pest. It is the only known vector of wheat striate mosaic virus (WSMV) in North America and can cause great destruction to fields (WSMV). In fact, this species used to be called "The Destructive Leafhopper" and "The Hurtful Leafhopper," and 'inimica' refers to the destruction this species can cause to fields (EI).
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 Deltocephalini
subgenus

Species Photo Gallery for Endria inimicus Painted Leafhopper

Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
Avery Co.
Comment: grassy, open area with shrubby vegetation and mixed forest nearby		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
Avery Co.
Comment: grassy, open area with shrubby vegetation and mixed forest nearby
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
Avery Co.
Comment: grassy, open area with shrubby vegetation and mixed forest nearby		Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper
Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper		Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper