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

Graphocephala coccinea - Red-banded Leafhopper


© Kyle Kittelberger- inland ssp: G. c.
quadrivittata
© Kyle Kittelberger- coastal ssp: G. c. coccinea
© Kyle Kittelberger- coastal ssp: G. c. coccinea
© Kyle Kittelberger- coastal ssp: G. c. coccinea
Taxonomy
Family: CICADELLIDAESubfamily: Cicadellinae
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide                                                                                  
Description: A medium sized Graphocephala, with two subspecies: adult males of G. c. coccinea (coastal) are 5.7-6.2 mm long while females are 6.7-7.3 mm, and males of G. c. quadrivittata (inland) are 6.6-7.6 mm long while females are 7.2-8.4 mm. This is a brightly colored species with a reddish to orange scutellum. The color of the non-red stripes is variable among individuals, with colors ranging from blue (as above) to turquoise to greenish. The top of the head is yellowish to orange in color, with the underside of the body yellow, and there is a bold black line going around the side of the face between the eyes. (BG)
Distribution in North Carolina
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Distribution: A common, widespread species recorded from Canada south through the Eastern and Central United States to Panama (BG).
Abundance: Scattered records across the state, probably more abundant in the right habitat.
Seasonal Occurrence
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
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Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Has been recorded so far in the state in grassy, mixed hardwood forest edge and forest habitat. Probably found in many grassy or brushy habitats.
Plant Associates: Rhus typina, Asclepias syriaca, Ilex sp., Actinomeris squarrosa, Silphium perfoliatum, Impatiens sp., Cannabis sativa, Robinia viscida, Quercus rubra, Platanus sp., Populus sp., Salix, Parthenocissus sp., Vitis sp. (DL)
Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a light.
Comment: Other common names include Scarlet-and-green Leafhopper and Candystriped Leafhopper.

There are a couple known subspecies of G. coccinea (as mentioned in the description): G. c. coccinea, which is found along the Atlantic coast and G. c. quadrivittata, which is found inland. There are however intermediates in size between the two subspecies, and one may not be able to determine which subspecies in some instances (though in NC it should be much more distinctive). For more pictures of the two subspecies, see: BG.

This species can be very difficult to distinguish from the very similar G. teliformis. Exact measurements of body length and sex of individual are essential in being 100% certain which species you have, as G. teliformis is typically larger than G. coccinea.

Status: Native

Species Photo Gallery for Graphocephala coccinea Red-banded Leafhopper

Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
Halifax Co.
Comment: mixed hardwood forest habitat; the inland subspecies, G. c. quadrivittata		Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: trapped in Tanglefoot on a tree band in a suburban business park, 7.8 mm female
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: trapped in Tanglefoot on a tree band in a suburban business park, 7.8 mm female		Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: trapped in Tanglefoot on a tree band in a suburban business park, 7.8 mm female
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Washington Co.
Comment: open forest habitat		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Washington Co.
Comment: open forest habitat
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf
Wake Co.
Comment: mixed hardwood forest habitat; male, 7.1 mm of inland ssp.		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf
Wake Co.
Comment: mixed hardwood forest habitat; male, 7.1 mm of inland ssp.
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf
Wake Co.
Comment: mixed hardwood forest habitat; male, 7.1 mm of inland ssp.		Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 7.9mm, suburban forest / athletic field edge
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 7.9mm, suburban forest / athletic field edge		Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 7.9mm, suburban forest / athletic field edge
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf
Gates Co.
Comment: grassy habitat on mixed hardwood forest edge		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf
Gates Co.
Comment: grassy habitat on mixed hardwood forest edge; coastal ssp.
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf
Gates Co.
Comment: grassy habitat on mixed hardwood forest edge; 7.01 mm long, coastal ssp.		Photo by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper
Photo by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper		Photo by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
New Hanover Co.
Comment: open woodlands, pine dominated; male, 6.34 mm, G. c. coccinea		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: male
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: male		Photo by: F. Williams, S. Williams
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI
Photo by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper		Photo by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper
Photo by: Tracy S. Feldman
Scotland Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper		Photo by: k. nealson
Orange Co.
Comment: ENRI
Photo by: Harry Wilson
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Harry Wilson
Wake Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: male, 7.6 mm		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: male, 7.6 mm
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Wake Co.
Comment: male, 7.6 mm