Hoppers of North Carolina:
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CICADELLIDAE Members: NC Records

Ponana limbatipennis - No Common Name


© Kyle Kittelberger- side view
© Kyle Kittelberger- slightly different wing
pattern
© Kyle Kittelberger- top view
© Kyle Kittelberger- dark individual
Taxonomy
Family: CICADELLIDAESubfamily: Iassinae
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF  iNaturalist                                                                                  
Description: A dark species with dark brown, smoky to black-colored wings and scutellum, with the dark coloration extending onto the base of the pronotum (which is otherwise unmarked); depending on the darkness of the wings, there is some scattered black marks that are noticeable. This species tends to have pale costal margins, but these may not be defined in dark individuals. The rest of the pronotum, head, base of the wings, and legs are a pale brown, tan color. The vertex is broadly rounded, with the ocelli large and prominent. The female pregenital sternite has the posterior margin slightly sinuate, with a broad but shallow median notch. The male subgenital plates are elongate and rectangular. Adults are 8.0 to 9.5 mm long. (OBSBS), (DeLong 1948)
Distribution in North Carolina
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Distribution: A rare species, recorded primarily from the Midwest, with records from New York; the records here appear to be the first for NC and possibly the first for the East.
Abundance: Uncommon to rare, recorded from several counties in the mountains.
Seasonal Occurrence
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Has been found near montane mixed hardwood forest.
Plant Associates:
Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a light. Nymphs have been collected at the base of buttercups (Ranunculus) (OBSBS).
Comment: Some dark forms of P. pectoralis could be confused with this species; however, note that dark P. pectoralis should still show some green on the body.

It is possible that the limbatipennis from North Carolina actually represent an undescribed, cryptic species, per Joel Kits. "This does not match what DeLong illustrated for the species... note that the lateral arms [on the dissected specimen on this page] are longer than the shaft, pointed apically and not divergent." More specimens are needed to determine if this is indeed a separate species or just a variation of limbatipennis.

Status: Native
Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Ponana limbatipennis No Common Name

Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper		Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper
Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper		Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper
Photo by: Ted Wilcox
Watauga Co.
Comment: unid_leafhopper		Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Ashe Co.
Comment: male
Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Ashe Co.
Comment: male		Photo by: Bo Sullivan
Ashe Co.
Comment: male
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Polk Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Polk Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Polk Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn
Polk Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Yancey Co.
Comment: 10 mm, came to UV CFL lights at night, cove forest edge with small lawn and meadow nearby		Photo by: Ken Kneidel
Yancey Co.
Comment: 10 mm, came to UV CFL lights at night, cove forest edge with small lawn and meadow nearby
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
Avery Co.
Comment: open area near mixed hardwood forest		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
Avery Co.
Comment: open area near mixed hardwood forest
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Ashe Co.
Comment: collected by Bo Sullivan; 6 male, 1 female		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Ashe Co.
Comment: collected by Bo Sullivan; 6 male, 1 female
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Ashe Co.
Comment: collected by Bo Sullivan; 6 male, 1 female		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Ashe Co.
Comment: collected by Bo Sullivan; 6 male, 1 female
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Ashe Co.
Comment: collected by Bo Sullivan; 6 male, 1 female		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Ashe Co.
Comment: collected by Bo Sullivan; 6 male, 1 female
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Ashe Co.
Comment: collected by Bo Sullivan; 6 male, 1 female		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Ashe Co.
Comment: collected by Bo Sullivan; 6 male, 1 female
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Ashe Co.
Comment: collected by Bo Sullivan; 6 male, 1 female		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger
Ashe Co.
Comment: collected by Bo Sullivan;
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
Avery Co.
Comment: open area near mixed hardwood forest		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
Avery Co.
Comment: open area near mixed hardwood forest
Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
Avery Co.
Comment: open area near mixed hardwood forest		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf
Avery Co.
Comment: open area near mixed hardwood forest