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

Polana quadrinotata - No Common Name


© Kyle Kittelberger- note spots behind eye
© Kyle Kittelberger- note pattern & short head
© Kyle Kittelberger- reddish individual
© Kyle Kittelberger- brown individual
Taxonomy
Family: CICADELLIDAESubfamily: IassinaeTribe: GyponiniSubgenus: Polana
Taxonomic Author: (Spångberg, 1878)
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF  iNaturalist                                                                                  
Description: A brownish to reddish-green leafhopper with a wide range in coloration. This species has a short broadly rounded head (compared to the similar genus Ponana) with large ocelli, which are typically quite visible as a white spot in front of the eye on the margin of the head (the ocelli are highly reflective with flash). There are four small, distinctive black spots on the head, two behind each eye; sometimes though there might be a fainter "third" dot present as well. The scutellum has the basal angles brown. The wings can vary in markings among individuals, with some having few markings while others have bold black marks scattered. The wing venation is somewhat simple but bold and conspicuous, a helpful distinguishing characteristic. Male subgenital plates are more than twice as long as the median width. The female pregenital sternite has the lateral angles produced and rounded, with the posterior margin deeply excavated with a broad v-shaped notch on either side of a central median lobe that extends almost halfway to the base; the median lobe is slightly notched at the apex. Adult males are 8 mm long, females are 8.25 mm. (DeLong & Freytag 1972)

Nymphs have a short, stout appearance with long antennae; the body color is a mixture of red, green, and brown. (BG)

Distribution in North Carolina
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Distribution: A rather uncommon to rare species overall, found primarily in the Southeastern United States as well as Mexico (DeLong & Freytag 1972)
Abundance: Uncommon, recorded from several counties in the Piedmont and across the Coastal Plain, probably more abundant in the right habitat.
Seasonal Occurrence
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Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Has been found in grassy, field-type habitat and forest edge.
Plant Associates: ?
Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a light.
Comment:
Status: Native
Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Polana quadrinotata No Common Name

Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/52980775; male, additional pics by K. Kittelberger		Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/52980775; male, additional pics by K. Kittelberger
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Jones Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Jones Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Jones Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Jones Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Simpson Eason
Durham Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/52980775
Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/52980775		Photo by: Erich Hofmann
Craven Co.
Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/52980775
Photo by: Mark Shields
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Orange Co.
Comment: Field habitat with a sweetgum edge
Photo by: Amanda Auxier
Pender Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Amanda Auxier
Pender Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Amanda Auxier
Pender Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf
Beaufort Co.
Comment: open, grassy habitat surrounded by pine and mixed hardwood forest
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf
Beaufort Co.
Comment: open, grassy habitat surrounded by pine and mixed hardwood forest		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Paul Scharf
Beaufort Co.
Comment: open, grassy habitat surrounded by pine and mixed hardwood forest
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, Brian Bockhahn
Orange Co.
Comment: Field habitat with a sweetgum edge. Probably a color variety of P. quadrinotata		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Orange Co.
Comment: Field habitat with a sweetgum edge