Hoppers of North Carolina:
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DELPHACIDAE Members: NC Records

Prokelisia marginata - No Common Name


© Kyle Kittelberger- female
© Kyle Kittelberger- female; note coloration
© Kyle Kittelberger- male
© Kyle Kittelberger- note face color and shape
Taxonomy
Family: DELPHACIDAESubfamily: Delphacinae
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide                                                                                  
Description: A light brownish species with yellowish to hyaline wings and a pale thorax and face. The frons has dark brown longitudinal markings along the median and is widest in the basal third; it is about two times longer than it is wide.
Adult males are 2.3-4.1 mm long, while females are 3.4-4.4 mm. (Wilson, 1982)
Distribution in North Carolina
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Distribution: Widespread in eastern North America from Gulf coast states to southern Canada; adventive to England, France, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Belgium (UDEL)
Abundance: Locally common along the coast where it has been recorded, probably found throughout the coast.
Seasonal Occurrence
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Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Grassy, marshy areas with Spartina (UDEL)
Plant Associates: Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass) (UDEL)
Behavior:
Comment: NOTE: This species is similar to P. dolus but dolus tends to have a much broader frons near the frontoclypeal suture than does marginata (the frons of dolus appears wide whereas the frons of marginata appears elongate); marginata also tends to have a much paler, more white frons that dolus whose frons is brownish. Note this diagram of Prokelisia faces and see how the shape of the frons compares between dolus and marginata; dolus is typically less than two times longer than wide whereas marginata is around two times longer than wide. Compare images of specimens on the following page: UDEL. For differences in females of Prokelisia, see: Heady & Wilson, 1990.

Interestingly, Wilson (1982) states that an analysis of Prokelisia specimens collected revealed that there was a relationship, though not absolute, between wing length and species. 84.0% of P. dolus specimens were brachypters while 81.6% of P. marginata specimens were macropters. However, a majority of P. marginata from the Florida Keys were brachypters, with the theory being that greater stability of habitats leads to higher incidence of brachypters. Just something to keep in mind when finding brachypter or macropter Prokelisia dolus/marginata in the state.

Status: Native

Species Photo Gallery for Prokelisia marginata No Common Name

Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
New Hanover Co.
Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
New Hanover Co.
Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
New Hanover Co.
Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
New Hanover Co.
Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
New Hanover Co.
Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.