Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Orig. Comb: Cercopis bicincta Say 1830
Identification
Adults are black with (typically) two red to orange lines crossing the wings. Eyes are red. Some adults lack the lines, are mostly black above:
Distinguish these from similar
Prosapia ignipectus by examining underside--
ignipectus has bright red
coxae.
Nymphs are usually concealed by the foam they produce, but are supposed to resemble adults but without wings.
Range
e US (TX-FL-MA-SD) (BG data)
Season
summer, but most reliably found in July (BG data)
Food
In the immature (nymph) stage (surrounded by the "spittle" foam which protects them, and which they produce from juices they suck from the plant) they feed on centipedegrass, bermudagrass and other grasses, including occasionally corn.
Adults feed on hollies - they feed on the underside of leaves, and damage shows up as pale mottling not usually visible from above.
Life Cycle
Two broods, overwinter as eggs
(2).
Remarks
Considered a pest of grasses and hollies, though damage is usually relatively minor.
Adults may exude a smelly chemical in defense if disturbed.
