Hoppers of North Carolina

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

Family (Alpha):

ACHILIDAE Members:	NC Records
Catonia pumila - Dwarf Catonia

Taxonomy

Family: ACHILIDAE
Taxonomic Author: (Van Duzee, 1908)

Identification

Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF iNaturalist
Description: A small species with a variable mottled color pattern. The wings vary from being uniformly dark brown to highly mottled in color, with black, brown, and gray patterning, typically with two dark V-shaped bands; some individuals have a more uniform wing color and lack the bands. The frons and clypeus are a pale yellowish-brown, either unbanded and therefore somewhat uniform in color or having a median white transverse band. The pronotum and vertex are a pale brown, sometimes with a reddish hue. The underside of the body and the legs are also a light brown color. Adults are 4.5-5.0 mm long. (O'Brien, 1971)

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 (UDEL)

Abundance: Uncommon to scarce, when found there is typically only one individual present [at night]; possibly 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 in and near mixed hardwood forest.

Plant Associates: Pinus sp., a variety of oaks (Quercus sp.), Carya sp., Hicoria sp. (O'Brien, 1971)

Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a light.

Comment: C. pumila very closely resembles C. carolina in both coloration and pattern. In order to best distinguish the two species, the size and face pattern are important. C. pumila is [typically] noticeably smaller than C. carolina: see a nice comparison here. The face of C. pumila can vary from being a light uniform yellowish-brown with no markings to having light brown markings with a faint, broad pale band across the middle of the face (UDEL). It is therefore necessary to photograph the face to make an identification possible among individuals that may represent one of these species.

This species is also similar to C. lunata, which too has a similar wing color and pattern. However, the frons color and pattern is quite different between the two species. In pumila, the frons is very pale, either being a somewhat uniform color throughout or being light yellowish-brown with a pale median transverse band. The frons of lunata is not uniform and the brown is much darker.

Status: Native

Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Catonia pumila Dwarf Catonia
	Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Attracted to Light	Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Attracted to Light
	Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Attracted to Black Light. Stayed on Sheet all night	Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Attracted to Black Light. Stayed on Sheet all night
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Rockingham Co. Comment: grassy area near mixed hardwood forest and a pond	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Rockingham Co. Comment: grassy area near mixed hardwood forest and a pond
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Rockingham Co. Comment: grassy area near mixed hardwood forest and a pond	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Rockingham Co. Comment: grassy area near mixed hardwood forest and a pond
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: mixed hardwood, open forest near lake edge	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: mixed hardwood, open forest near lake edge
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: mixed hardwood, open forest near lake edge	Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Attracted to Black Light . Found on Sheet in AM.
	Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Attracted to Black Light	Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Attracted to Black Light
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Wake Co. Comment: mixed hardwood forest habitat	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Wake Co. Comment: mixed hardwood forest
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Wake Co. Comment: mixed hardwood forest

Catonia pumila - Dwarf Catonia

Species Photo Gallery for Catonia pumila Dwarf Catonia