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

Poblicia fuliginosa - No Common Name


© F. Williams- note dark wings, red abdomen
© Steve Hall- note wing pattern, coloration
© Mark Shields
Taxonomy
Family: FULGORIDAESubfamily: Poiocerinae
Taxonomic Author: (Olivier, 1791)
Identification
Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF  iNaturalist                                                                                  
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. See here for other images and angles of a pinned adult. 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 Arizona and Montana; also found in Mexico. (UDEL)
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., esp. Rhus copallinum L. (winged sumac, Anacardiaceae) in the East (UDEL)
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, leaving behind some sap flow on selected sumac trees. [C. Bartlett pers. comments]
Comment: Eggs are laid in in groups that are covered by a grayish-pink foam. The eggs are believed to hatch as early as May. (T. Hagerty)
Status: Native
Global and State Rank:

Species Photo Gallery for Poblicia fuliginosa No Common Name

Photo by: F. Williams, S. Williams
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI		Photo by: Mark Shields
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Mark Shields
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Mark Shields
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Photo by: Mark Shields
Onslow Co.
Comment: 		Photo by: Steve Hall
Bladen Co.
Comment:
Photo by: F. Williams, S. Williams
Gates Co.
Comment: MEMI - On winged sumac