Explanation of Names
In Greek mythology, Merope was one of the seven Pleiades, daughters of Atlas and Pleione.
In astronomy, Merope is one of the stars in the cluster Pleiades (AKA "seven sisters") in the constellation Taurus.
I don't know the significance of the name.
Numbers
1 species in North America (the only species in the world)
uncommon to rare in much of its range, never present in large numbers, poorly represented in insect collections, and seldom encountered in the field
Identification
body yellowish-brown; wings divided into many rectangular cells by numerous cross-veins; male with elongate, slender clasping structures at end of abdomen; female abdomen shorter, tapering to narrow tip
Range
known only from eastern North America (Quebec, Ontario, and Maine to Georgia, west to Texas and Oklahoma, north to Minnesota)
Habitat
in low vegetation or on the ground in densely-vegetated woodlands, often near water or wet seeps (similar to scorpionfly habitat); adults are nocturnal and are attracted to light
Life Cycle
Very little is known about biology or behavior. Larvae have never been discovered.
Remarks
A distinct lobe, or jugum, is present at the base of each forewing along the hind margin. The undersides of the juga are serrated, and can be rubbed against a serrated portion of the thorax to allow production of sound (stridulation), which typically occurs as a defense behavior when disturbed, but also could be used to communicate with the opposite sex.
Internet References
adult male images of
Merope tuber (D.S. Kjar, Georgetown U., Washington DC)
presence in Texas and pinned adult images (Texas A&M U.)
description and history (George Byers, Emporia State U., Kansas)
description and biology; PDF doc of
Merope tuber, plus images of male and female, and SEM images of stridulation organ (James Dunford
et al, Great Smoky Mountains National Park)
distribution of
Merope tuber in North America (Norman Penny, California Academy of Sciences)
presence in Quebec; PDF doc; list (Ghyslain Pothier, Corporation Entomofaune du Quebec)
