A genus of tropical insects (plant hoppers) known for their striking appearance and behavior.
From the Latin fulgor 'lightning, brightness,' this scientific genus name suggests the insects' bright coloration or sudden movements. Linnaeus and other naturalists often named organisms based on their most striking visible features, and the brilliant markings of these insects warranted a name referencing light itself.
Fulgora lanternfly is one of nature's strangest insects—it has a large, hollow head that looks like a snout and was originally thought to glow like a lantern (hence the English name). The scientific name perfectly captures how scientists name creatures after their most dramatic features!
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