Hoppers of North Carolina

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

Family (Alpha):

CICADELLIDAE Members:	NC Records
Empoa saffrana - No Common Name

Taxonomy

Family: CICADELLIDAE

Subfamily: Typhlocybinae

Tribe: Typhlocybini

Subgenus: Empoa

Synonym: Typhlocyba saffrana

Taxonomic Author: (McAtee, 1926)

Identification

Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF iNaturalist
Description: A yellowish species with the basal two-thirds of the wings unmarked; in teneral specimens, the wings are ivory-white. The apex of the wings have four or more dark brown spots around the apical crossveins; these spots, together with the yellow wings, distinguish this species from others. In some individuals, the spots may not be as bold, but together they form an arced 'band' along the apical crossveins. The wingtips are largely hyaline. (Hamilton, 1983)

Distribution in North Carolina

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

Distribution: Eastern and central United States, eastern Canada

Abundance: Recorded from a few counties in the mountains and Piedmont, likely more abundant in the right habitat.

Seasonal Occurrence

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

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Has been found near mixed hardwood forest.

Plant Associates: Reported from Hop-hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana), beech (Fagus grandifolia), American elm (Ulmus americana), Ulmus sp. (Hamilton 1983)

Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a light.

Comment: This species is most similar to (E. querci). However, that species has three dark spots in a straight row near the apex of the tegmen, whereas E. saffrana has four spots that are not in a straight row.

Status: Native

Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Empoa saffrana No Common Name
	Photo by: Ted Wilcox Watauga Co. Comment: unid_leafhopper	Photo by: Scott Bolick Surry Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Wake Co. Comment: mixed hardwood forest	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Attracted to UV light. Suburban yard near woods.
	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Attracted to UV light. Suburban yard near woods.	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Attracted to UV light. Suburban yard near woods.
	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Attracted to UV light. Suburban yard near woods.

Empoa saffrana - No Common Name

Species Photo Gallery for Empoa saffrana No Common Name