Hoppers of North Carolina:
Spittlebugs, Leafhoppers, Treehoppers, and Planthoppers
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MEMBRACIDAE Members: NC Records

Cyrtolobus pallidifrontis - No Common Name



© Kyle Kittelberger- male

© Scott Bolick- male

© Matthew S. Wallace- female

© Kyle Kittelberger- female
Taxonomy
Family: MEMBRACIDAESubfamily: Smiliinae
Taxonomic Author: (Emmons)
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF  iNaturalist                                                                                  
Description: Males are dark, with a blackish-brown pronotum with two white transverse bands and a white mid-dorsal mark. The pronotum is low in this species, with a minimal crest, and is actually lower than most other Cyrtolobus. The apices of the wings in both sexes are dark brown, and in females there is a characteristic dark band across the center of the wings. Females have a reddish-brown pronotum with some greenish-gray mottling, and the front of the pronotum is noticeably lighter in color (a useful characteristic distinguishing females from other species). Eyes are prominent and brown, and the ocelli (light-sensing organ) are large, reddish, and prominent as well. The underside of the body is a grayish-yellow color, and the legs are usually black (a key characteristic in females). Adults are around 5.8 mm long. (Kopp), (M. Rothschild pers. comments)
Distribution in North Carolina
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Out of State Record(s)
Distribution: Eastern and central North America, as far west as Colorado (Kopp)
Abundance: Uncommon, recorded across the state with most records from the Piedmont. Seasonal distribution: 29 April- 26 July (CTNC), with one atypical record in August.
Seasonal Occurrence
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
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Jul
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Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Has been found near mixed hardwood forest and forest edge; where oak is present.
Plant Associates: Quercus alba, Q. stellata (CTNC); also on Q. rubra (CTGSMNP)
Behavior: To listen to the male courtship call for this genus, listen here. These courtship calls are not audible to the human ear, and the calls here are produced by recording the substrate vibrations that the treehoppers use to communicate through the plants themselves. The recorded call is then amplified so that it is now audible to human ears. Research has shown that treehoppers use vibrations to attract mates, to announce the discovery of a good feeding site, or to alert a defending mother to the approach of a predator (T.IM).
Comment: Can be attracted at night with a light.

This species could be confused with C. gramatanus, which is slightly more compact, typically does not have dark legs and is not quite as pale on the front of the pronotum. The dark area of the wings is also typically not as prominent. (M. Rothschild pers. comments)

Status: Native
Global and State Rank:
See also Habitat Account for General Oak-Hickory Forests

Species Photo Gallery for Cyrtolobus pallidifrontis No Common Name

Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper
Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_treehopper
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: mixed hardwood forest; male, 5.3 mm
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: mixed hardwood forest; male, 5.3 mm
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: mixed hardwood forest; male, 5.3 mm
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: mixed hardwood forest; male, 5.3 mm
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: mixed hardwood forest; male, 5.3 mm
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: mixed hardwood forest; male, 5.3 mm
Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_treehopper
Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_treehopper
Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_treehopper
Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_treehopper
Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_treehopper
Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_treehopper
Photo by: Scott Bolick
Alleghany Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Scott Bolick
Alleghany Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Scott Bolick
Alleghany Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Yancey Co.
Comment: forest edge with small lawn and meadow nearby
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Yancey Co.
Comment: forest edge with small lawn and meadow nearby
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Yancey Co.
Comment: forest edge with small lawn and meadow nearby
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Yancey Co.
Comment: forest edge with small lawn and meadow nearby
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Yancey Co.
Comment: forest edge with small lawn and meadow nearby
Photo by: Paul Scharf
Warren Co.
Comment: Attracted to UV Light
Photo by: Matthew S. Wallace
Out Of State Co.
Comment: female
Photo by: Matthew S. Wallace
Out Of State Co.
Comment: male
Photo by: Paul Scharf
Warren Co.
Comment: Female. Attracted to UV Light
Photo by: Paul Scharf
Warren Co.
Comment: Female. Attracted to UV Light
Photo by: Paul Scharf
Warren Co.
Comment: Female. Attracted to UV Light
Photo by: Paul Scharf
Warren Co.
Comment: Attracted to UV Light
Photo by: Paul Scharf
Warren Co.
Comment: Attracted to UV Light
Photo by: Paul Scharf, B Bockhahn
Stanly Co.
Comment: Attracted to UV Light
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: mixed hardwood forest habitat; a dark individual, but has characteristic dark patch on middle of wing
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: mixed hardwood forest habitat