Hoppers of North Carolina

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

Family (Alpha):

Draeculacephala savannahae - No Common Name CICADELLIDAE Members:			NC Records	Public View

synonym

description

A tan, brownish species that has a yellowish "faded line" around the edge of the wings. The crown is marked with thin black lines and small black dots, and the scutellum has two semi-faint black triangular-shaped black spots along the anterior margin. The wing venation is pale, contrasting with the tan wings. There is a black line around the sides of the body, and the face and underside of the body are a light brown. Females have long pointed heads, while males have much shorter heads. The female pregenital sternite is moderately to strongly produced with a noticeable projection on the posterior margin. Adult males are 5.4-6.4 mm long, while females are 6.5-7.4 mm (though males may range up to 6.9 mm and females up to 7.8 mm).

distribution

The Coastal Plain of southeastern North Carolina south to northern Florida (Dietrich 1994)

abundance

Uncommon, a few recent records from the Coastal Plain, probably more abundant near the coast (though this species may be a recent arrival in the state as it was previously known as far north as South Carolina).

seasonal_occurrence

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

habitat

Near coastal marshes

plant associates

Reported from a grass-vetch mixture: Eremochloa ophiuroides-Vicia sp.

behavior

Can be attracted at night with a light.

comments

This species is most similar visually to D. septemguttata and could be confused with this species. However, septemguttata has 5 bold, defined black spots/triangles on the body (3 on the head, 2 on the anterior margin of the scutellum). These spots are poorly defined in savannahae, with the spots on the head largely absent and the scutellar spots not as bold, instead appearing as if they are underneath the surface of the scutellum. The lines on the scutellum and head are also not as bold as on septemguttata.

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

GNR [G3G4]

S_rank

[S3S4]

rank_comments

- Only a couple of NC records, both recent; feeds on various coastal grasses, including centipede grass and Phyllanthu; possibly adventive

tribe

subgenus

Species Photo Gallery for Draeculacephala savannahae No Common Name
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf New Hanover Co. Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.; female, 7.1 mm	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf New Hanover Co. Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.; female, 7.1 mm
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf New Hanover Co. Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.; female, 7.1 mm	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf New Hanover Co. Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.; female, 7.1 mm
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf New Hanover Co. Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.; female, 7.1 mm	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf New Hanover Co. Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.; female, 7.1 mm
	Photo by: Amanda Auxier Pender Co. Comment:	Photo by: Amanda Auxier Pender Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Mark Shields Onslow Co. Comment:	Photo by: Sara Meissner Pender Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Sara Meissner Pender Co. Comment:	Photo by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment:	Photo by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment: female, collected	Photo by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment: female, collected; additional pics by K. Kittelberger
	Photo by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment: female, collected; additional pics by K. Kittelberger	Photo by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment: female, 7.1 mm
	Photo by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment: female, 7.1 mm	Photo by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment: female, 7.1 mm
	Photo by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment: female, 7.1 mm	Photo by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment: female, 7.1 mm; additional pics by K. Kittelberger
	Photo by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment: female, 7.1 mm; additional pics by K. Kittelberger	Photo by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment: female, 7.1 mm; additional pics by K. Kittelberger
	Photo by: Erich Hofmann New Hanover Co. Comment:	Photo by: Erich Hofmann New Hanover Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Erich Hofmann, David George, Rich Teper, Jeff Niznik New Hanover Co. Comment:	Photo by: Hunter Phillips, Mark Shields Onslow Co. Comment:

Species Photo Gallery for Draeculacephala savannahae No Common Name