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

Cedusa vulgaris - No Common Name


© Kyle Kittelberger
© Kyle Kittelberger- male
© Kyle Kittelberger- male, closeup of claspers
© Kyle Kittelberger- female
Taxonomy
Family: DERBIDAE
Taxonomic Author: (Fitch, 1851)
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF  iNaturalist                                                                                  
Description: Adults are bluish overall (dark bluish-black wings with lighter blue waxy coating, characteristic of the blue Cedusas) with orangeish legs. The male phallus (reproductive claspers) is large, long and broad; the claspers are in the shape of hooks that curve inwards and upwards near the tips (see pic above). The phallus on this species very closely mirrors that of C. redusa, so may not be distinguishable in the field. However, C. vulgaris specimens have shown to have darker wings and pronotums from the C. redusa specimen, though not sure if this is an actual distinguishing characteristic. Adults range in length from around 4.9 to 5.2 mm.
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: Transcontinental, found across the United States and in eastern Canada (UDEL)
Abundance: Scattered records across the state.
Seasonal Occurrence
Jan
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Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Photographed specimens here taken from a mixed hard and softwood forest.
Plant Associates: Derbidae are known or assumed to feed on fungal hyphae as immatures. Adults associate with Crataegus (hawthorn, Rosaceae), on which they are considered a pest. (UDEL)
Behavior: Probably can be attracted at night with a light.
Comment: A majority of Cedusa look very similar externally, appearing bluish overall. The only way to make a positive ID for many of the species at this point is to examine the genitalia of the males. Therefore, a male specimen is necessary for many species' identifications. Detailed, clear photographs of the male underside showing the genitalia can also be helpful, and perhaps the hope is that after observing enough specimens of a particular species, there may be slight external features that can be associated with an ID.
Status: Native
Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Cedusa vulgaris No Common Name

Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Out Of State Co.
Comment: female; identified by C. Bartlett		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Out Of State Co.
Comment: female; identified by C. Bartlett
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Out Of State Co.
Comment: male; identified by C. Bartlett		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Out Of State Co.
Comment: male; identified by C. Bartlett
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Out Of State Co.
Comment: male, Identified by C. Bartlett		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Out Of State Co.
Comment: male, Identified by C. Bartlett
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Out Of State Co.
Comment: Identified by C. Bartlett