Sumac Speckled Lanternfly
Poblicia fuliginosa
This record describes Poblicia fuliginosa (species). Recorded family: Fulgoridae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance

These are nearly impossible to capture by hand netting, they are rocket propelled. (V.A. Brou, Jr., pers. comm. to MAQ, 2012)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)
- Suborder
- Auchenorrhyncha
- Superfamily
- Fulgoroidea
- Family
- Fulgoridae (Fulgorid Planthoppers)
- Subfamily
- Poiocerinae
- Tribe
- Poiocerini
- Genus
- Poblicia (Speckled Lanternflies)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
se.US (KS-TX to MD-GA)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: hosts: sumac - Rhus spp., esp. R. copallinum (Anacardiaceae) in the east
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Poblicia fuliginosa (Olivier 1791)
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Poblicia fuliginosa. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hemiptera (true bugs) includes over 80,000 described species across cicadas, aphids, leafhoppers, shield bugs, and bed bugs. Aphids alone cost global agriculture an estimated $2.5 billion annually in crop losses.
Ecological role of the group
Many Hemiptera are essential food sources for birds and predatory insects. Cicadas provide massive nutrient pulses during emergence events - a single Brood X emergence can involve trillions of individuals across 15 states.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) caused $37 million in apple crop losses in a single year in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region. Bed bug infestations in the U.S. increased by 500% between 2001-2010, costing the hotel industry hundreds of millions annually.
Recorded sources for this group: USDA, EPA, University research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Sumac Speckled Lanternfly (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov , antarctica
Frequently Asked Questions About Sumac Speckled Lanternfly
What is Sumac Speckled Lanternfly?
Sumac Speckled Lanternfly (Poblicia fuliginosa) is a species in the family Fulgoridae, within the order Hemiptera.
Where is Sumac Speckled Lanternfly found?
Range: se.US (KS-TX to MD-GA)
What does Sumac Speckled Lanternfly eat?
The diet of the Sumac Speckled Lanternfly includes hosts: sumac - Rhus spp., esp. R. copallinum (Anacardiaceae) in the east.
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