Psyllids
Scientific group or name: Psylloidea
Overview
Psyllids, also called plant suckers or jumping plant lice, are small sap-feeding insects related to aphids and whiteflies. Several species cause distortion, wax deposits, honeydew and reduced growth.
Host plants
Many trees, shrubs and crops; individual psyllid species usually have a limited host range.
Identification
Adults are small, active and often jump when disturbed. Nymphs are flatter and less mobile and may be covered with white wax. Identification should include the host plant because many species are host-specific.
Damage and symptoms
Feeding may produce curled leaves, cupped shoot tips, yellowing, sticky honeydew and sooty mould. Heavy infestations can weaken young growth.
Lifecycle and favourable conditions
Populations often become most visible during active shoot growth in spring and summer. Dense, sheltered growth can make colonies harder to detect.
Monitoring
Inspect young leaves, buds and shoot tips. Look beneath distorted foliage for nymphs, wax and cast skins. Yellow traps can detect winged adults but should not replace plant inspection.
Management
Remove badly distorted shoots where practical, avoid excessive soft growth and conserve naturally occurring predators. Confirm the species and host before choosing a control programme.
Biological control and natural enemies
Predatory bugs, lacewings, ladybirds and parasitoids may contribute to suppression. Commercial options depend strongly on the psyllid species and growing environment.
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.