Hoppers of North Carolina

Hoppers of North Carolina:
Spittlebugs, Leafhoppers, Treehoppers, and Planthoppers

Family (Alpha):

CICADELLIDAE Members:	NC Records
Draeculacephala savannahae - No Common Name

Taxonomy

Family: CICADELLIDAE

Subfamily: Cicadellinae

Identification

Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF iNaturalist
Description: A tan, brownish species that has a yellowish "faded line" around the edge of the wings. The crown is marked with thin black lines and small black dots, and the scutellum has two semi-faint black triangular-shaped black spots along the anterior margin. The wing venation is pale, contrasting with the tan wings. There is a black line around the sides of the body, and the face and underside of the body are a light brown. Females have long pointed heads, while males have much shorter heads. The female pregenital sternite is moderately to strongly produced with a noticeable projection on the posterior margin. Adult males are 5.4-6.4 mm long, while females are 6.5-7.4 mm (though males may range up to 6.9 mm and females up to 7.8 mm).

Distribution in North Carolina

County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.

Distribution: The Coastal Plain of southeastern North Carolina south to northern Florida (Dietrich 1994)

Abundance: Uncommon, a few recent records from the Coastal Plain, probably more abundant near the coast (though this species may be a recent arrival in the state as it was previously known as far north as South Carolina).

Seasonal Occurrence

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Near coastal marshes

Plant Associates: Reported from a grass-vetch mixture: Eremochloa ophiuroides-Vicia sp.

Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a light.

Comment: This species is most similar visually to D. septemguttata and could be confused with this species. However, septemguttata has 5 bold, defined black spots/triangles on the body (3 on the head, 2 on the anterior margin of the scutellum). These spots are poorly defined in savannahae, with the spots on the head largely absent and the scutellar spots not as bold, instead appearing as if they are underneath the surface of the scutellum. The lines on the scutellum and head are also not as bold as on septemguttata.

Status: Native

Global and State Rank: GNR [G3G4] [S3S4]

Draeculacephala savannahae - No Common Name

Species Photo Gallery for Draeculacephala savannahae No Common Name

Species Photo Gallery for Draeculacephala savannahae No Common Name
	Photo by: Erich Hofmann, David George, Rich Teper, Jeff Niznik New Hanover Co. Comment:	Photo by: Erich Hofmann New Hanover Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Erich Hofmann New Hanover Co. Comment:	Photo by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment: female, collected; additional pics by K. Kittelberger
	Photo by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment: female, collected; additional pics by K. Kittelberger	Photo by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment: female, 7.1 mm; additional pics by K. Kittelberger
	Photo by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment: female, 7.1 mm; additional pics by K. Kittelberger	Photo by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment: female, 7.1 mm; additional pics by K. Kittelberger
	Photo by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment: female, 7.1 mm	Photo by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment: female, 7.1 mm
	Photo by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment: female, 7.1 mm	Photo by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment: female, 7.1 mm
	Photo by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment: female, collected	Photo by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment:	Photo by: Erich Hofmann Craven Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Sara Meissner Pender Co. Comment:	Photo by: Sara Meissner Pender Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Mark Shields Onslow Co. Comment:	Photo by: Amanda Auxier Pender Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Amanda Auxier Pender Co. Comment:	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf New Hanover Co. Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.; female, 7.1 mm
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf New Hanover Co. Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.; female, 7.1 mm	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf New Hanover Co. Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.; female, 7.1 mm
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf New Hanover Co. Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.; female, 7.1 mm	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf New Hanover Co. Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.; female, 7.1 mm
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf New Hanover Co. Comment: marsh grass: black needlerush, spartina, etc.; female, 7.1 mm