Box Psyllid
Scientific group or name: Psylla buxi
Overview
Box psyllid, also called box sucker, feeds on young box shoots and causes conspicuous cupping of the new leaves.
Host plants
Box, particularly Buxus sempervirens.
Identification
Flattened pale-green nymphs occur inside cupped shoot tips and produce white waxy secretions.
Damage and symptoms
Young leaves become tightly cupped and shoot growth may be checked. Established plants usually tolerate moderate infestations.
Lifecycle and favourable conditions
Symptoms become most evident during spring flush when nymphs feed on expanding growth.
Monitoring
Open distorted shoot tips and look for nymphs, wax and cast skins.
Management
Prune affected tips after feeding has finished where appearance matters, and encourage natural enemies.
Biological control and natural enemies
Generalist predators may feed on exposed stages. Treatment is rarely necessary on otherwise healthy established box.
Biological control should be selected only after the pest has been identified and the crop, temperature, growing environment and pest pressure have been considered.
Related BioWiki pages
This page provides general integrated pest-management information. Identification and control decisions should be confirmed for the crop and local situation.