Hoppers of North Carolina

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

Family (Alpha):

Polana quadrinotata (Spångberg, 1878) - No Common Name CICADELLIDAE Members:			NC Records	Public View

synonym

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

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

habitat

Has been found in grassy, field-type habitat and forest edge.

plant associates

behavior

Can be attracted at night with a light.

comments

NOTE: Previously, the species Polana celata was noted to occur in the United States. However, these specimens/records were misidentified. In both DeLong (1942) and DeLong & Freytag (1972), the description of celata does not note any dark spots on the pronotum. In fact, the key in DeLong (1942) uses the presence or absence of these dark spots to separate quadrinotata from other members of the genus. There are diagrams of the head and thorax in this publication too for both Polana species, and there are no spots on celata whereas they are depicted for quadrinotata. Additionally, DeLong (1942) notes that this species was described from Mexico whereas Freytag & DeLong (1972) say that the holotypes of this species are from Panama.

status

[Native:] [Introduced:] [Extirpated:]

list_type

[Official:] [Provisional:]

adult_id

Unmistakable and widely known Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens
Identifiable from photos showing undersides, or other specialized views [e.g., legs, face]
Identifiable only by close inspection of structural features or by DNA analysis NULL

nymph_id

Unmistakable and widely known Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants
Identifiable from close inspection of specimens or by DNA analysis
Identifiable only through rearing to adulthood NULL

G_rank

S_rank

rank_comments

tribe

Gyponini

subgenus

Polana

Species Photo Gallery for Polana quadrinotata No Common Name
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Orange Co. Comment: Field habitat with a sweetgum edge	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	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, 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: Amanda Auxier Pender Co. Comment:	Photo by: Amanda Auxier Pender Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Amanda Auxier Pender Co. Comment:	Photo by: Mark Shields Onslow 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: 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: Simpson Eason Durham 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: Bo Sullivan Jones Co. Comment:
	Photo by: AH Manee Moore Co. Comment: Specimen in the California Academy of Sciences, photo K Schneider	Photo by: AH Manee Moore Co. Comment: Specimen in the California Academy of Sciences, photo K Schneider

Species Photo Gallery for Polana quadrinotata No Common Name