Hoppers of North Carolina

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

Family (Alpha):

Eupteryx decemnotata (Rey, 1891) - Ligurian Leafhopper CICADELLIDAE Members:			NC Records	Public View

synonym

description

A fairly distinctively marked species. Wings are yellowish green with characteristic darker polygon-shaped marks scaattered; the apical wing veins are yellow, bordered with dark brown. The scutellum is yellowish, sometimes with two black spots in the middle. The head has a characteristic even number of bold black spots. Usually there are 5 pairs of dots, with four dots along the midline of the vertex, two black marks along the margin of the vertex, and 4 dots in a row across the face; however, spots are sometimes fused together. Adults are between 2 and 3 mm long. (Rung, 2009) For more images of this species, see: 1, 2, 3.

Nymphs are yellowish overall, with a mottled brownish dorsal surface. There are prominent rows of long spines curving backwards on the dorsal surface as well, giving the nymphs a distinctive appearance.

distribution

Found throughout Europe; introduced in North America where it is slowly expanding. Most records are from California where it was first detected in 2008; has also been found in New Mexico. This species is relatively scarce in the eastern United States without any clearly established populations; was intercepted in Florida in 2009 and Pennsylvania in 2015; first detected in North Carolina in 2013.

abundance

Scattered records across the state; unclear what the status of this species is in the state and whether there are any well established populations.

seasonal_occurrence

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

habitat

Has been found in mixed hardwood forest, but likely found anywhere herbs and ornamentals occur in high number.

plant associates

A variety of herbs and ornamentals in the Lamiaceae family: rosemary, sage, majoram, catnip, oregano, lemon balm, peppermint, basil, thyme, etc. (Rung, 2009)

behavior

Can be attracted at night with a light.

comments

NOTE: This species is similar to E. melissae, the Sage Leafhopper, another introduced Eupteryx that has been recorded from both sides of the continent. The two can best be distinguished by the markings on the head. In decemnotata, there is an even number of spots, usually 5 pairs but sometimes spots are fused together. In melissae, there is an odd number of spots, usually 5 or 7 spots total with three prominent ones on top of the head. See here for more information and images on how to distinguish the two species: Rung, 2009.

In terms of damage, this species is a mesophyll feeder, puncturing plant cells and causing stippling to leaves. If the density of E. decemnotata becomes too high, significant damage to plants can occur. E. decemnotata can therefore be a major pest species. (Rung, 2009)

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

Typhlocybini

subgenus

Eupteryx

Species Photo Gallery for Eupteryx decemnotata Ligurian Leafhopper
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Wake Co. Comment: mixed hardwood forest habitat	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Wake Co. Comment: mixed hardwood forest habitat
	Photo by: David Enrique Wake Co. Comment:	Photo by: David Enrique Wake Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Attracted to UV light. Yard near woods.	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Attracted to UV light. Yard near woods.
	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Attracted to UV light. Yard near woods.	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/75719151
	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/75719151	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/75719156
	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/75719150	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/75719150
	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/77533858	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/77630898
	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/80308378	Photo by: Ken Kneidel Mecklenburg Co. Comment: 2.7 mm male came to UV light at night
	Photo by: Ken Kneidel Mecklenburg Co. Comment: 2.7 mm male came to UV light at night	Photo by: Ken Kneidel Mecklenburg Co. Comment: 2.7 mm male came to UV light at night
	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/80547514	Photo by: Erich Hofmann New Hanover Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Erich Hofmann New Hanover Co. Comment:	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/82748552
	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/84251088	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/91065316
	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/115959866	Photo by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther New Hanover Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther New Hanover Co. Comment:	Photo by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther New Hanover Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther New Hanover Co. Comment:	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/172255188
	Photo by: Erin Price-Erwin Guilford Co. Comment:

Species Photo Gallery for Eupteryx decemnotata Ligurian Leafhopper