Hoppers of North Carolina

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

Family (Alpha):

CICADELLIDAE Members:	NC Records
Polana quadrinotata - No Common Name

Taxonomy

Family: CICADELLIDAE

Subfamily: Iassinae

Tribe: Gyponini

Subgenus: Polana

Taxonomic Author: (Spångberg, 1878)

Identification

Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF iNaturalist Google
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

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

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

Polana quadrinotata - No Common Name

Species Photo Gallery for Polana quadrinotata No Common Name