Hoppers of North Carolina:
Spittlebugs, Leafhoppers, Treehoppers, and Planthoppers
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Prosapia bicincta (Say, 1830) - Two-lined Spittlebug     Sole representative of CERCOPIDAE in NC NC Records Public View

© Mark Shields
© Ken Childs
© Woodworker- 'probable' black form
© Margarita Lankford- nymph
synonym
description A distinctive species, adults are black with two orange lines crossing the wings and have red eyes, reddish legs, and a reddish underside. However, some adults can be completely black on top, lacking any lines across the wings: Black Form. This seems to be a feature mostly among individuals of the Northeast and other parts of the country and has only been recorded recently (probable record) once in North Carolina; very uncommon to rare form in this state. Adults are 8-10 mm in length BG.

Nymphs are somewhat bicolored, with a brownish thorax and head contrasting with the yellow abdomen. The sides of the abdomen on the underside can have a reddish tint. While the first four instars are this coloration, the fifth instar is a much darker brown coloration. Spittle masses are found on plant stems, often times at the soil line. For a nice visualization of the life stage of this species, see: BIISC.

distribution Widespread and abundant throughout eastern and central North America. BG
abundance Common and widespread across the state, recorded from the mountains to the coastal plain.
seasonal_occurrence
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Feb
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Apr
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Dec
habitat Found in a variety of habitats, ranging from mixed hardwood forests to grassy, field-type areas. A generalist species.
plant associates Nymphs feed on centipedegrass, bermudagrass and other grasses, including occasionally corn. Adults feed on hollies, foraging on the underside of leaves- damage shows up as pale mottling not usually visible from above BG. This species has also been associated with Asimina, Ilex, Cucurbita, Glycine, Trifolium, and Eremochioa ophiuroides (DL). It is an important pest of turfgrass, particularly centipedegrass (UGA). This species injects toxins into turfgrass, causing the affected grass blades to turn yellow and then rown or purple; eventually, the grass can die (UGA). Adults do more damage than nymphs (UGA).
behavior As the name suggests, these insects produce spittle, which the nymphs use to protect themselves. The spittle is produced from juices that the nymphs suck from the plant. Adults, if disturbed, can exude a smelly chemical defense. BG
comments The Two-lined Spittlebug can go through irruption years, becoming very abundant. When this happens, large numbers of the spittlebugs can be found in a single location. This species can also be attracted to black lights, mercury vapor lights, and other light sources and, if enough spittlebugs arrive, they can form large mating masses.
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
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Species Photo Gallery for Prosapia bicincta Two-lined Spittlebug

Photo by: Paul Scharf
Warren Co.
Comment: Common during sweeps and at black light at night		Photo by: Paul Scharf
Warren Co.
Comment: Common almost anywhere sweeping. Also attracted to Black Lights
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf, Patrick Coin
Halifax Co.
Comment: grassy area and mixed hardwood forest edge near pine forest; large number of individuals congregating, many of which formed mating masses		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf, Patrick Coin
Halifax Co.
Comment: grassy area and mixed hardwood forest edge near pine forest; large number of individuals congregating, many of which formed mating masses
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf, Patrick Coin
Halifax Co.
Comment: grassy area and mixed hardwood forest edge near pine forest; large number of individuals congregating, many of which formed mating masses		Photo by: Ken Childs
Out Of State Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Newman, Randy
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: E. Corey, K. Futch, J. Shimel
New Hanover Co.
Comment: CABE
Photo by:
Alleghany Co.
Comment: black form, tentative but probable ID		Photo by: Owen McConnell
Graham Co.
Comment: Attracted to cabin lights, resting on wood near lighted window
Photo by: R Emmitt
Orange Co.
Comment: on back door of house.		Photo by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment: unid_planthopper
Photo by: Rob Van Epps
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: Weedy area near hardwood forest edge.		Photo by: Randy L Emmitt
Orange Co.
Comment: I usually see one, 6 tonight!
Photo by: Amanda Auxier
Pender Co.
Comment: Attracted to white CFL porch light in semi-wooded residential area.		Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Photo by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI		Photo by: K. Bischof
Beaufort Co.
Comment: GOCR - Obs. at ranger 2\'s residence.
Photo by: K. Bischof
Beaufort Co.
Comment: GOCR - Obs. at ranger 2\'s residence.		Photo by: J. Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI
Photo by: J. Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI		Photo by: R. Preston
Chatham Co.
Comment: JORD
Photo by: J. Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI		Photo by: K. Bischof
Beaufort Co.
Comment: GOCR
Photo by: j.wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI		Photo by: J. Wyche
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI
Photo by: L. Amos
Warren Co.
Comment: KELA		Photo by: J. A. Anderson
Surry Co.
Comment: PIMO
Photo by: Hunter Phillips, Cathy Songer
Wayne Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: vin stanton
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Vin Stanton
Haywood Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/28327149
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/28376535		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/28376535
Photo by: Jim Petranka
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Mark Shields
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/31017970		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/31017970
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/31181170		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/32233795
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/32233795		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/32660713
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/48294849		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/49389580
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/49389580		Photo by: Mark Shields
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Sara Meissner
Pender Co.
Comment: Teneral, just emerged from its spittle "nest", appearing almost without pigment.		Photo by: Sara Meissner
Pender Co.
Comment: Teneral, just emerged from its spittle "nest", appearing almost without pigment.
Photo by: Sara Meissner
Pender Co.
Comment: Teneral, just emerged from its spittle "nest", appearing almost without pigment.		Photo by: Sara Meissner
Pender Co.
Comment: Teneral, just emerged from its spittle "nest", appearing almost without pigment.
Photo by: Sara Meissner
Pender Co.
Comment: Teneral, just emerged from its spittle "nest", appearing almost without pigment.		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Swain Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/52625384
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54210937		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/54451482
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Burke Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/55853898
Photo by: Simpson Eason
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/56087034
Photo by: Erich Hofmann
New Hanover Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/56116093		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/57489835
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/57489829		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/57782693
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/57782687		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/57782684
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/57782667		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/58376976
Photo by: Cindy Darnell
Durham Co.
Comment: Newly emerged adult was associated with spittle though not completely covered.		Photo by: Cindy Darnell
Durham Co.
Comment: Nymph was encased in spittle along with two other individuals.
Photo by: Cindy Darnell
Durham Co.
Comment: Nymph was encased in spittle along with two other individuals.		Photo by: Cindy Darnell
Durham Co.
Comment: Nymph was encased in spittle along with two other individuals.
Photo by: Cindy Darnell
Durham Co.
Comment: Nymph was encased in spittle. There were multiple spittle nests containing 1-2 nymphs of various instars.		Photo by: Cindy Darnell
Durham Co.
Comment: Nymph was encased in spittle. There were multiple spittle nests containing 1-2 nymphs of various instars.
Photo by: Cindy Darnell
Durham Co.
Comment: Nymph was encased in spittle. There were multiple spittle nests containing 1-2 nymphs of various instars.		Photo by: Cindy Darnell
Durham Co.
Comment: Nymph was encased in spittle. There were multiple spittle nests containing 1-2 nymphs of various instars.
Photo by: Cindy Darnell
Durham Co.
Comment: Nymph was encased in spittle. There were multiple spittle nests containing 1-2 nymphs of various instars.		Photo by: Cindy Darnell
Durham Co.
Comment: Nymph was encased in spittle. There were multiple spittle nests containing 1-2 nymphs of various instars.
Photo by: Cindy Darnell
Durham Co.
Comment: Nymph was encased in spittle. There were multiple spittle nests containing 1-2 nymphs of various instars.		Photo by: Cindy Darnell
Durham Co.
Comment: Nymph was encased in spittle. There were multiple spittle nests containing 1-2 nymphs of various instars.
Photo by: Cindy Darnell
Durham Co.
Comment: Nymph was encased in spittle. There were multiple spittle nests containing 1-2 nymphs of various instars.		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/59980148
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/59980148		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/59980148
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/59980148		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/59980148
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/59980148		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/61507662
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/63045646		Photo by: Erich Hofmann
New Hanover Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/65294144
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/66152900		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/66152900
Photo by: J. Mickey
Wilkes Co.
Comment: STMO		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/82772670
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/91799633		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/93533400
Photo by: Lior Carlson
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Columbus Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/96838008		Photo by: John Petranka
Orange Co.
Comment: New Hope Creek Biodiversity Survey
Photo by: B. Bockhahn
Durham Co.
Comment: New Hope Creek Biodiversity Survey (2021-2022)		Photo by: John Petranka
Orange Co.
Comment: New Hope Creek Biodiversity Survey (2021-2022)
Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/132079726		Photo by: Hunter Phillips
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Erich Hofmann, David George, Rich Teper, Jeff Niznik
New Hanover Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: on blackberry, Rubus sp.
Photo by: R. Newman
Carteret Co.
Comment: FOMA		Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_spittlebug
Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_spittlebug		Photo by: Margarita Lankford
Orange Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/172437464
Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_spittlebug		Photo by: Mark Basinger
Wilson Co.
Comment: Attracted to front porch light
Photo by: Mark Basinger
Brunswick Co.
Comment: Attracted to front porch light 		Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: uncovered while pulling grass from my garden 		Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: uncovered while pulling grass from my garden
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: uncovered while pulling grass from my garden 		Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: uncovered while pulling grass from my garden
Photo by: Xander Sherry
Union Co.
Comment: On hose siding		Photo by: Xander Sherry
Union Co.
Comment: On hose siding
Photo by: B. Bockhahn
Macon Co.
Comment: