Limonia triocellata
(Osten Sacken, 1859)
Limonia triocellata is a small to -sized distinguished by three -like spots () on each . 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 on each are diagnostic and give the its name. The blunt distinguish it from many with elongated palpi. The 14-segmented confirm placement in Limonia . The V-shaped between mesonotal and confirms Limoniinae. Sex can be determined by abdominal tip shape: -shaped in males, pointed in females.
Images
Appearance
are 8–12 mm in body length. The is with four markings at either end. Four elongated brown markings on the slightly inward toward the mesonotum. A V-shaped between the mesonotal and scutum is present. have 14 . are blunt rather than elongated. bear three (-like spots) on each wing, with additional brown especially toward ends. Male ends in a -shaped hypogium; female abdomen ends in a pointed .
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 rather than the blunt palpi of L. triocellata; 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.