Panorpa mirabilis Carpenter, 1931
Diagnosis: This is one of four species in the claripennis species group with relatively short male hypovalves, and broad, unbranched ventral parameres with thick spines on the mesal surface. The dististyles of Panorpa mirabilis have the basal lobe highly modified into a broad plate that covers all but the apical tip of the dististyles. The hypovalves are shorter than the basistyles and apically divergent. The ventral parameres are long (reaching half the length of the dististyles) and straight.
Distribution – Geographical: This species is found in a relatively small area from New Jersey northwest through New York and Pennsylvania to Michigan and western Wisconsin.
Distribution – Temporal: 24 May until 25 July.
Ecology: Byers (1954) has found this species in very moist swampy or forested areas of central Michigan, associated with stands of red maple and elm.
Biology: The immature stages of Panorpa mirabilis were described by Boese (1973).
Notes: The plate-like lobe that covers all but the extreme tip of the dististyles makes this species quite distinctive.
References:
Boese, A.E. 1973. Descriptions of larvae and key to fourth instars of North American Panorpa (Mecoptera: Panorpidae). Kansas University Science Bulletin, 50:163-186.
Byers, G.W. 1954. Notes on North American Mecoptera. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 47:484-510.
Carpenter, F.M. 1931. Revision of the Nearctic Mecoptera. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology. 72:205-277.
