Derbid Planthopper - Dysimia pseudomaculata

In Conclusion

I really didn't think this frail little creature flew from Panama. I talked to my buddy, president of Gulf States Maritime Association and wildlife enthusiast, about how this planthopper's journey. He said probably a stowaway on a ship coming through the Panama Canal, much like the Asian Gypsy Moth comes to the lights on ships.

As I live on Dog River, I'm but a few miles from shipping channels. This may well account for some of the exotic creatures I find. Thanks again. Job well done.
Lord Zimlich

… Robert Lord Zimlich, 5 August, 2009 - 8:51am

not just tropical

This species has been recorded from Florida, and probably occurs widely along the Gulf coast.

… Andy Hamilton, 6 August, 2009 - 9:50am

Found another one.

I put it here.

… Thomas Dawson Twining, 31 August, 2016 - 7:52pm

great addition, everybody!

Moved from ID Request.

… v belov, 4 August, 2009 - 2:51pm

Mixed Emotions

Another New Species for BG :)
I don't get to name a new species :(

Thanks, everybody for your help.

… Robert Lord Zimlich, 4 August, 2009 - 3:17pm

there, there...

i think that was thrill and fun for all. let's celebrate. drinks on me.

… v belov, 4 August, 2009 - 3:23pm

Dysimia pseudomaculata

Lois O'Brien tells us: "why do they sit with leaves spread? Simple. They sit in large numbers on the undersides of leaves in rain forests. If they sat on top, the rain drops would stick their wings to the plant, and they would die. They like anything that will act like an umbrella--palms, Heliconia, etc. Once I saw them fly down the trail by their own volition about 30-60 minutes after dark... in Asia one tribe sits under palms along the midline and holds the body parallel to the plant, but the wings hang down, held together along the midline. A third tribe (in Puerto Rico and the Neotropics) actually form a longitudinal tube with the wing lengthwise, and hold it up at a 45 degree angle from the substrate."

… Andy Hamilton, 4 August, 2009 - 2:48pm

Wonder about the black spots??

Dr Hamilton says we have only one species in our fauna that looks like this. Maybe it's a gender difference?? See

… john and jane balaban, 3 August, 2009 - 3:22pm

from Dr Hamilton:

"John & Jane are right. It's interesting that this one Fulgoroid always sits with its wings spread out, like a moth. Andy"

… v belov, 4 August, 2009 - 10:07am

Any comment on the color

and venation differences?

… john and jane balaban, 4 August, 2009 - 10:08am

no, sorry...

above is the entire text of his note... i wonder why he didn't comment on the page -- he always does...

… v belov, 4 August, 2009 - 10:11am

Mysidia

It took me a bit of time to research this one. See comment below.

… Andy Hamilton, 4 August, 2009 - 10:37am

I Wonder

I downloaded the other specimens, loaded wings from several into PhotoShop and overlaid with mine. The venation of the other Mysidia mississippiensis specimens are all identical. I shot mine on a window, so I could not enhance too much without increasing the ghost image. Still, my specimen, while very similar, has differences other than the spots.

Most noticeably, my specimen's FW has fewer crossing veins (4) to the costa as in this specimen, which has 8

Other veins do not branch the same as the specimens posted. Also notice how heavy my costa is all the way to the apex. The HW also has one heavy section.

Could the similarities suggest the same genus Mysidia and the differences suggest a different species. You can bet your sweet bippy, should I see another, I will vial-late it and overnight to Canada.

… Robert Lord Zimlich, 4 August, 2009 - 9:21am

Mysidia

You are right, this specimen doesn't match M. mississippiensis; nor does it exactly match any of the species from Central America. It comes closest to M. delicatissima from Mexico. I will send the image to Lois O'Brien for an opinion.

… Andy Hamilton, 4 August, 2009 - 10:32am

hopper alright... a magnificent beast

i just can't tell offhand

… v belov, 3 August, 2009 - 8:43am

Spread Wings

This is the first I've seen that always rests with its wings spread. I thought it was a moth until I saw it on my monitor.

… Robert Lord Zimlich, 3 August, 2009 - 8:47am

many Derbidae have the moth-like appearance

this one should be in Cicadoidea, though

… v belov, 3 August, 2009 - 8:54am