About Pyrops candelaria (Linnaeus, 1758)
Like all members of the Fulgoridae family, Pyrops candelaria feeds on plant sap, including that from longan and lychee trees in the Sapindaceae family, along with other plant species. It uses its long, slender proboscis to pierce tree bark and reach the nutrient-containing phloem underneath. Members of the Pyrops genus are commonly called lanternflies, named for their distinct cephalic process despite the fact that these insects do not actually emit light. P. candelaria is highly sought after by insect collectors, drawn to its appearance: its notable fore wings, yellow-orange hind wings with a black band around the wing tips, and a reddish head and cephalic process marked with white spots. This species feeds on tree sap with its elongated proboscis and contributes to nutrient cycling in tropical forest ecosystems.
