Thionia elliptica Nymph

Tentative ID. Need to look into the possibility of Thionia obrienae in my region as well.

At a disturbed mixed forest edge. On Calycanthus floridus.

comments (10)

Pudding4brains

Lion

Have a look at the Issidae maybe Posted 4 years ago
1. Flown Kimmerling
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks, Arp! Posted 4 years ago
2. Flown Kimmerling
  
  Lion
  
  another similar one for you!
  
  Posted 4 years ago
3. 1. Pudding4brains
    
    Lion
    
    Hi Lisa, I thought I had extended my message earlier to add that I thought Thionia elliptica might be a good match, but must have forgotten to save the edit *rolleyes*
    
    P.S. Other option would possibly be Exortus punctiferus. In the comments with one of the nymphs on BG Andy Hamilton (in 2007) notes: "Since we now know that Thionia nymphs are green, the only other Issid from GA is this (appropriately named) species" [ed: Exortus punctiferus]
    https://bugguide.net/node/view/50736/bgimage
    I see clear differences between that nymph and all the others classified on BG as Exortus punctiferus. In fact, I think that nymph looks more like yours and the few brown(!) ones classified under Thionia elliptica, so I have some doubts about that remark and the ID of that one photo(?!?) Either that, or all the other Thionia elliptica nymphs on BG are wrong.
    
    P.P.S. Andy certainly knows his stuff when it comes to hoppers, so I'm somewhat confused by this.
    I,ve added a comment to BG and contacted Andy by email to see if we can sort this... Posted 4 years ago, modified 4 years ago
  2. 1. Pudding4brains
      
      Lion
      
      Meantime found this article that may be of interest (thanks to a link provided by Kyle Kittelberger here:
      https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/bugs/view_1.php?id=14571
      
      Wheeler, A.G. Jr.; Wilson, Stephen W. (1987) Life History of the Issid Planthopper Thionia elliptica (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea) with Description of a New Thionia Species from Texas. - Journal of the New York Entomological Society, Vol.95(3), pp.440-451. https://www.jstor.org/stable/25009624
      
      P.S. That article poses a new problem. It describes Thionia obrienae as new (from Texas), whereas at the time it would seem that T. elliptica was not known from GA (yet?). I have no info on the nymphs of T. obrienae, but it might be prudent to try and check that possibilty too (small chance, but hey). Posted 4 years ago, modified 4 years ago
    2. 1. Flown Kimmerling
        
        Lion
        
        Very interesting stuff. Thanks for going out of your way to help! <3 I think I'm going to tentatively ID as Thionia elliptica but leave the other possibility in my notes! Posted 4 years ago
      2. Pudding4brains
        
        Lion
        
        I think that is a fair line of action for now ;o) Posted 4 years ago
    3. Flown Kimmerling
      
      Lion
      
      Adding: I have bookmarked that conversation on BugGuide, so I'm curious to see what is said! Posted 4 years ago

Pudding4brains

Lion

The Calycanthus floridus you found it on is a very unlikely host plant. Is there any tree/shrub above it or nearby that the nymph may have tumbled out of onto the Calycanthus?
Are both photos from the same nymph? Or did you find more than one on the Calycanthus floridus? Posted 4 years ago
1. Flown Kimmerling
  
  Lion
  
  Two separate nymphs. Two separate plants :D I can't remember what the second plant was...hmmm
  
  The first could have tumbled off of many things (maybe Rhus copallinum) but Calycanthus is definitely the dominant plant in that area. Posted 4 years ago, modified 4 years ago