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

Philaronia canadensis - No Common Name



© Kyle Kittelberger- side view; male with yellow
face

© Kyle Kittelberger- note the wing hairs and
veination

© Kyle Kittelberger- top view; note hairy
appearance
Taxonomy
Family: APHROPHORIDAE
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF  iNaturalist                                                                                  
Description: This species externally resembles the Meadow Spittlebug (Philaenus spumarius) but does not have the raised wing veins of Philaenus. Unlike Philaenus, in which the wing veins are not distinct, Philaronia have dark, distinct [and noticeable] veins that branch towards the edges of the wings. This is a dark species (as seen in the pics above), with a combination of gray and black on the body. The wings are covered with pale hairs, characteristic of this genus, that stand out against the dark body (see pics above); in Philaenus, the hairs are not as prominent as they are transparent and blend in with the underlying wing color. For a nice comparison between wings of Philaronia vs. Philaenus, showing hairs and veination, click here.
The antennal ledge, located above the base of the antennae, is also contrastingly redder than the rest of the face. Females, which have dark faces, are 6.0-6.7 mm in length while males, which have a mostly yellowish face, are 5.4-6.2 mm long. (BG).
This is also the only spittlebug genus with orange nymphs; click here for an image of a Philaronia nymph.
Distribution in North Carolina
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Distribution: Found in the eastern U.S., from Ontario south to South Carolina; this is a rare species [and genus] (BG).
Abundance: A rare species, P. canadensis has only been recorded from a single county.
Seasonal Occurrence
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Has been recorded recently in a montane meadow with brushy vegetation; there is probably a higher likelihood of finding this species where there is Goldenrod. Additionally, in Ontario this species has been found in river bottoms and along lake shores (BG).
Plant Associates: Nymphs probably feed on the subterranean parts of herbaceous plants; adults have been found on Goldenrod (Solidago) (Hamilton, 1982)
Behavior:
Comment: This species has been recorded in all months except July (BG).
Status: Native
Global and State Rank: GNR [G3G4] [S3S4]

Species Photo Gallery for Philaronia canadensis No Common Name

Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
Mitchell Co.
Comment: grassy, brushy vegetation in the open on the top of the mountain; the bald. A male
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
Mitchell Co.
Comment: grassy, brushy vegetation in the open on the top of the mountain; the bald. A male
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
Mitchell Co.
Comment: grassy, brushy vegetation in the open on the top of the mountain; the bald. A male
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
Mitchell Co.
Comment: