Psyllids
Psyllidae
Sap-Sucking Insects High Risk 2-4 mm
📖 Description
Psyllids, also known as jumping plant lice, are tiny sap-sucking insects that cause damage both through direct feeding and as vectors of devastating plant diseases. The Asian citrus psyllid, which transmits citrus greening disease (huanglongbing), has become one of the most destructive agricultural pests in the world, threatening the entire global citrus industry. Psyllids produce honeydew and often cover themselves with white waxy filaments for protection. Their feeding causes yellowing and distortion of new growth, and in many cases, the disease they transmit is far more damaging than their direct feeding.
⚠️ Symptoms to watch for
- Yellowing and curling of new leaves
- Stunted
- chlorotic new growth resembling nutrient deficiency
- White waxy filaments or lerps on leaves and stems
- Honeydew and sooty mold on surfaces below
- Premature leaf drop and dieback
- Transmission of lethal plant diseases like citrus greening
🩹 Treatment
- Spray with insecticidal soap targeting new growth (organic)
- Apply neem oil to suffocate nymphs (organic)
- Release parasitic wasps (Tamarixia) for biological control (organic)
- Use yellow sticky traps to catch adults (organic)
- Apply systemic imidacloprid as soil drench (chemical)
- Spray with spirotetramat for nymph control (chemical)
🌿 Organic treatments
- Spray with insecticidal soap targeting new growth
- Apply neem oil to suffocate nymphs
- Release parasitic wasps (Tamarixia) for biological control
- Use yellow sticky traps to catch adults
🧪 Chemical treatments
- Apply systemic imidacloprid as soil drench
- Spray with spirotetramat for nymph control
🛡️ Prevention
- Inspect new plants thoroughly before purchasing
- Use yellow sticky traps for early detection
- Encourage parasitic wasps by planting nectar sources
- Remove and destroy infested branches promptly
- Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization that promotes tender growth
🪴 Affected plants
- Citrus Trees
- Eucalyptus
- Potatoes
- Tomatoes
- Pears
- Boxwood
🦋 Natural predators
- Ladybugs
- Lacewings
- Parasitic Wasps
🌱 Host plants
- Citrus spp.
- Solanum tuberosum
- Eucalyptus spp.
🔄 Lifecycle
- Females lay 50-100 eggs on new growth, often along leaf margins or in leaf folds.
- Eggs hatch in 5-14 days.
- Nymphs pass through 5 instars over 2-4 weeks, feeding on new growth and producing waxy filaments.
- Adults live 2-4 weeks.
- There are 3-6 generations per year depending on climate.
- Some species are primarily tropical while others survive temperate winters as adults or eggs.
📅 Season
- Year-round in warm climates, Spring to Fall in temperate zones
🔎 Appearance
- Tiny, cicada-like insects with transparent wings held roof-like over the body.
- Often called jumping plant lice because they jump when disturbed.
- Some species produce white, waxy filaments or honeydew-covered lerps (protective covers).
💥 Damage level
- High
🔁 Reproduction rate
- Fast
🗺️ Geographic regions
- North America
- Asia
- Africa
- South America
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