Panorpa oconee Byers, 1993
Diagnosis: This species is a member of the virginica group that has wings with three complete bands and no humeral spots along the basal margin; males with a horn on the 6th abdominal tergite; male hypovalves that are very thin and extend to the base of the dististyles; ventral parameres that are unbranched, straight, and apically barbed; darkened medial core of the aedeagus; basal lobes of the dististyles with large projections; and male 9th tergite with rounded apico-medial indentation and relatively wide apical lobes (only about twice as long and broad). This species is also part of the virginica subgroup with wings that have slightly yellow-tinted wings. Panorpa oconee and P. choctaw are closely related, but differ in that the ventral parameres of P. oconee are shorter and narrower, and in details of the mesal cup (basal lobe) of the dististyles of P. choctaw - the lobes are longer and more widely spaced in P. choctaw (Byers, 1993).
Distribution – Geographical: This species is only found at lower elevations of northern and central Georgia.
Distribution – Temporal: 14 September until 5 November.
Ecology: Panorpa oconee is often found associated with brambles, honeysuckle, greenbriar, and poison ivy. Other specimens have been collected in pine woods with young saplings of red gum, tulip trees, oaks, and junipers (Byers, 1993).
Biology: Nothing is known of immature stages or life cycle.
Notes: The name oconee refers to several local features of the area where it has been collected: The Oconee River, Oconee County, and Oconee National Forest. The word is possibly derived from a Cherokee word meaning river (Byers, 1993).
Panorpa oconee is a member of the virginica species group that are each geographically isolated from each other. The range of P. virginica lies to the northeast of P. oconee; that of P. choctow and P. neglecta lie to the west; and that of P. hungerfordi lies to the northwest.
References:
Byers, G.W. 1993. Autumnal Mecoptera of southeastern United States. University of Kansas Science Bulletin, 55(2):57-96.
