Limonia triocellata
(Osten Sacken, 1859)
Limonia triocellata is a small to medium-sized limoniid crane fly distinguished by three -like spots (ocelli) on each wing. It occurs in eastern North America with two distinct periods in spring and fall. The exhibits clear in abdominal structure. Taxonomic placement remains unsettled, with some authorities placing it in the Metalimnobia.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Limonia triocellata: /lɪˈmoʊ.ni.ə traɪ.oʊˈsɛl.ə.tə/
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Identification
The three ocelli on each wing are diagnostic and give the its name. The blunt terminal palpi distinguish it from many with elongated palpi. The 14-segmented confirm placement in Limonia . The V-shaped between mesonotal prescutum and confirms Limoniinae. Sex can be determined by abdominal tip shape: club-shaped in males, pointed in females.
Images
Appearance
are 8–12 mm in body length. The is yellow with four brown markings at either end. Four elongated brown markings on the slightly inward toward the mesonotum. A V-shaped between the mesonotal prescutum and scutum is present. have 14 segments. Terminal palpi are blunt rather than elongated. Wings bear three ocelli (-like spots) on each wing, with additional brown patches especially toward ends. Male ends in a club-shaped hypogium; female abdomen ends in a pointed ovipositor.
Distribution
Eastern United States and Canada; records span from Alberta to Nova Scotia, south to Kansas, Arkansas, Illinois, Georgia, and Florida.
Seasonality
with two periods: May–June and September–October.
Similar Taxa
- Other Limonia speciesMany have elongated terminal palpi rather than the blunt palpi of L. triocellata; wing ocelli pattern differs
More Details
Taxonomic Uncertainty
GBIF lists this as a synonym of Metalimnobia triocellata, while NCBI retains it in Limonia. The placement remains unsettled in current literature.