Fulgorid Planthoppers

Fulgoridae

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Fulgoridae: //fʊlˈɡɔrɪdiː//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Fulgorid Planthopper - Flickr - treegrow (2) by Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Fulgorid Planthopper - Cyrpoptus belfragei?, Colchester Park, Mason Neck, Virginia by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Fulgorid Planthopper - Flickr - treegrow (8) by Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Fulgorid Planthopper - Flickr - treegrow (4) by Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Black Planthopper - Flickr - treegrow (2) by Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) adult in Pittsburgh, 2022-07-23, 01 by Cbaile19. Used under a CC0 license.

Summary

Fulgoridae is a diverse family of large hemipteran insects, particularly abundant in tropical regions. While they exhibit colorations that may resemble those of moths, they are distinct within the insect class and have a unique feeding behavior related to wood and plant material.

Physical Characteristics

Large planthoppers, mostly exceeding 7 mm in size, with some tropical species reaching up to 95 mm.

Identification Tips

Look for their brilliant and varied coloration; some genera have a hollow snout-like head process that is either inflated or elongated.

Habitat

Mostly tropical, with the greatest diversity found in southern regions, particularly Texas.

Distribution

Over 700 species in 135 genera worldwide; 17 species in 9 genera in the local area.

Diet

Feed on trees and shrubs through the bark; a few taxa also feed on grasses.

Life Cycle

Details on the life cycle are not provided in the text.

Reproduction

Details on reproduction are not provided in the text.

Predators

Some species are parasitized by Fulgoraecia exigua.

Conservation Status

Not provided.

Ecosystem Role

Details on ecosystem role are not provided in the text.

Economic Impact

Not provided.

Cultural Significance

Historically associated with myths of luminescence; Carl Linnaeus propagated the myth that the 'lantern' process emitted light at night.

Health Concerns

Not provided.

Evolution

The classification of Fulgoridae has evolved significantly, with recent molecular analysis questioning previous taxonomic arrangements.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Many species are incorrectly referred to as lanternflies; they do not actually emit light and are not closely related to flies.

Tags

  • Fulgoridae
  • planthoppers
  • insects
  • taxonomy
  • tropical
  • hemiptera