Hoppers of North Carolina:
Spittlebugs, Leafhoppers, Treehoppers, and Planthoppers
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FULGORIDAE Members: NC Records

Poblicia fuliginosa - Sumac Speckled Lanternfly

Poblicia fuliginosa
© F. Williams- note dark wings, red abdomen		Poblicia fuliginosa
© Steve Hall- note wing pattern, coloration		Poblicia fuliginosa
© Mark Shields
Taxonomy
Family: FULGORIDAESubfamily: PoiocerinaeTribe: Poiocerini
Taxonomic Author: (Olivier, 1791)
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF  iNaturalist  Google                                                                                  
Description: A dark species, almost black in color, with small white speckling on the wings. The head is short but broad and has a yellow margin to the flat edge; the eyes are equal in separation or broader than the pronotum, but not exceeding the width of the closed forewings (UDEL). The thorax and anterior abominal segments are black, while the posterior abdominal segments (most of the abdomen) are a bright red: see here. A large species, adults are 8-17 mm long. For more on the description of this species, see: Bartlett et al., 2025.

Nymphs have a vertex (top of the head) that, in the 5th instar stage, is at least 8 times wider than long. Nymphs are grayish overall, with blackish legs, a dark brownish thorax, and a whitish abdomen and head that contrasts with the darker body. There are bumps/spike-like projections across the body. (T. Hagerty)

Distribution in North Carolina
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Distribution: Eastern United States, as far north as Maryland, west to Texas; also found in neighboring Mexico. (Bartlett et al., 2025)
Abundance: Uncommon to rare, not encountered frequently; recorded from a handful of counties in the eastern Piedmont and Coastal Plain.
Seasonal Occurrence
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Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Often found in clear-cut areas, such as roads and powerlines; can also be found in semi-forested areas (T. Hagerty).
Plant Associates: Rhus spp., especially Rhus copallinum (winged sumac, Anacardiaceae). Also reported from Abrosia trifida and Acer rubrum. (Bartlett et al., 2025)
Behavior: Very hard to capture, this species is an expert at jumping. It is typically found on the main trunk of host plants but sometimes on the branches or nearby plants. Nymphs like to occur near the base of the host plant and prefer to be on individuals in which the base of the tree is hidden by other vegetation. This species is very selective about the plants it chooses, with most winged-sumac in the area lacking any individuals; but on favored trees, you can find a number of adult and nymph fuliginosa. Additionally, this species is a messy feeder in both the nymphal and adult stage, leaving behind some sap flow from seeping wounds on selected sumac trees; these wounds then turn into nodules in subsequent years. (Bartlett et al., 2025)
Comment: The eggs are believed to hatch as early as May (T. Hagerty). The species is a univoltine species, with five nymphal instars and adults starting to appear in July (at least in North Carolina). Eggs are laid in rows that are covered by a grayish-pink foam waxy covering. (Bartlett et al., 2025)
Status: Native
Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Poblicia fuliginosa Sumac Speckled Lanternfly 8

Poblicia fuliginosaPhoto by: tybstar - Timothy Gerla
Chatham Co.
Comment: iNat record: 7689279		Poblicia fuliginosaPhoto by: F. Williams, S. Williams
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI
Poblicia fuliginosaPhoto by: Mark Shields
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Poblicia fuliginosaPhoto by: Mark Shields
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Poblicia fuliginosaPhoto by: Mark Shields
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Poblicia fuliginosaPhoto by: Mark Shields
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Poblicia fuliginosaPhoto by: Steve Hall
Bladen Co.
Comment: 		Poblicia fuliginosaPhoto by: F. Williams, S. Williams
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - On winged sumac