Hoppers of North Carolina

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

Family (Alpha):

Helochara communis (Fitch, 1851) - Bog Leafhopper CICADELLIDAE Members:			NC Records	Public View

synonym

description

A small, dark green leafhopper. The body and wings are covered with pits, and males have thickened tips to the antennae, forming a black diamond-shaped "club" (BG); both of these are traits characteristic of this genus. The underside of the abdomen, thorax, and head is mostly black, particularly in males. Males have shorter, blunter heads than females. Some individuals can appear very dark, and worn individuals can lose their green color. Males are 4.2-5.0 mm long, females are 4.9-6.0 mm. (Hamilton 1986) Nymphs are yellow overall with pointed heads.

This species could be most easily confused with Draeculacephala, but H. communis has a blunter head. In addition, H. communis is smaller than many Draeculacephala: click here for a good size comparison between H. communis and a Draeculacephala. H. communis also differs from Draeculacephala in being a [typically] uniform shade of green (Draeculacephala can have blue lines on the wings and thorax, and their wings have contrasting venation).

distribution

A common northern species, recorded throughout the Northeast, across Canada, and far into the west; the only member of this genus found in the East (Hamilton 1986).

abundance

Found in the mountains where it is locally abundant; probably found throughout this region.

seasonal_occurrence

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

habitat

Grassy, wet areas (such as river edges); also fields and brushy habitat

plant associates

Common on rushes, especially toad rush (Juncus bufonarius), as well as other Juncus, Carex and Sparganium spp. (Hamilton 1986)

behavior

A univoltine species, adults are common from late July through May, with females sometimes lasting until mid-July. (Hamilton 1986)

comments

The body size and head lengths of adults of this species vary geographically, with specimens from eastern North America slightly smaller than those from western North America. While male specimens from much of eastern North America lack acutely-angled heads (visible from dorsal view), specimens from the Smoky Mountains were found to consist of up to 50% acute-headed forms. (Hamilton 1986)

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

Cicadellini

subgenus

Species Photo Gallery for Helochara communis Bog Leafhopper
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Out Of State Co. Comment: grassy, brushy field	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Out Of State Co. Comment: grassy, brushy field
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Out Of State Co. Comment: grassy, brushy field	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Watauga Co. Comment: grassy, brushy habitat near mixed hardwood forest
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Watauga Co. Comment: grassy, brushy habitat near mixed hardwood forest	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
	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	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
	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	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
	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	Photo by: Ted Wilcox Watauga Co. Comment: unid_leafhopper
	Photo by: Ted Wilcox Watauga Co. Comment: I believe it to be a teneral Helochara communis. - unid_leafhopper	Photo by: Ted Wilcox Watauga Co. Comment: I believe it to be a teneral Helochara communis. - unid_leafhopper

Species Photo Gallery for Helochara communis Bog Leafhopper