Panorpa isolata Carpenter, 1931
Diagnosis: This is one of two species in a species group that resembles species of the claripennis group in that males have relatively short, broad hypovalves; long ventral parameres; and no protuberances or long spines at the apex of the basistyles. This species group differs in that males have sigmoidally curved ventral parameres with short tufts of spines along their length. Males of Panorpa isolata has a tuft of spines apically and another subapically.
Distribution – Geographical: This is a southeastern species found in the Gulf Coast states from Mississippi to Alabama and north to Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, and Kentucky, generally at lower elevations.
Distribution – Temporal: Adults of this species can be encountered from April to September, with two peaks in June and August, suggesting the possibility of two broods per year.
Ecology: Byers (1954) reports this species is found in strikingly different habitats and elevations, some habitats being quite dry, while others being moist woods.
Biology: Nothing is known of immature stages or life history.
Notes: Panorpa decorata Carpenter, 1931was synonymized with Panorpa isolata by Byers (1974).
References:
Byers, G.W. 1954. Notes on North American Mecoptera. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 47:484-510.
-----. 1974. Synonymy in North American Panorpidae (Mecoptera). Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 47:22-25.
Carpenter, F.M. 1931. Revision of the Nearctic Mecoptera. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology. 72:205-277.
