Psyllid Pest
Psylloidea
Basic Details
Description
Taxonomy
Features
Translations
Basic Details
NamePsyllid Pest
DescriptionPsyllids are tiny jumping insects that suck plant sap and transmit diseases like citrus greening. Learn to identify and control these pests in your garden.
TypeInsect
FamilyPsyllidae
Genuspsyllid
TribePsyllinae
Taxonomy & Features
PhylumArthropoda
SubphylumHexapoda
ClassInsecta
OrderHemiptera
SubfamilyPsylloidea
Features
- Called 'jumping plant lice' because they jump quickly from plant to plant using powerful hind legs. Feed on plants like lice feed on animals
- Small insects resembling tiny cicadas with clear wings held roof-like over body. Have strong hind legs for jumping. Colors vary by species
- Feed on plant sap (phloem) using piercing-sucking mouthparts. Attack leaves, shoots, and buds. Can transmit serious plant diseases
- Cause yellowing, curling, and wilting of leaves and shoots. Produce white honeydew that attracts ants and promotes sooty mold. Can transmit fatal diseases like citrus greening
- Complete lifecycle in 2-4 weeks depending on temperature. Nymphs are flat and scale-like. Adults are mobile and can fly short distances
- Size varies from 1 to 10 mm depending on species. Most are 2-4 mm long
- Thrive in warm weather. Most active in spring and summer. Different species prefer specific host plants
- Species-specific pests. Citrus psyllid attacks citrus, tomato psyllid affects tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants. Others attack eucalyptus, pear, olive, and peppertree
- Prevent by removing infested shoots, using reflective mulches, maintaining plant health, and quarantining new plants. Remove alternate host plants nearby
- Natural predators include ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps. Treat with insecticidal soap, neem oil, horticultural oil, or systemic insecticides for serious infestations
Names in Different Languages
Latin / ScientificPsylloidea
English (Alternate)Jumping Plantlice, Asian citrus psyllid, Cottony ash psyllid, Eugenia psyllid, Pear psylla, Red gum lerp psyllid
Hindiಪ್ಸಿಲಿಡ್ (psilid), ಸಿಲೈಡ್ (silid)
Tamil, ಸೈಲಿಡ್ (psyllid), ತಾವರಂ ಸಾಱು ಉಱಿಂಚುಂ ಪೂಚ್ಚಿ (tāvaram cāṟu uṟiñcum pūcci)
Teluguಸಿಗಟಿ ಪುರುಗು (Sigati purugu), ಚಿನ್ನ ದೊಮ (Chinna domal), ತೆಲ್ಲ ದೊಮ (Tellā dōma)
Malayalamಚಾಟ್ಟಕ್ಕಾರನ್ ಚೆಡಿಪ್ಪೇನ್ (Chāṭṭakkāran Cheṭippēn), ಏಷ್ಯನ್ ಸಿಟ್ರಸ್ ಸೈಲಿಡ್ (Eḻaśiyan siṭras sailid)
Kannadaಗೊಬ್ಬರದ ಮರ (Gobbarda mara), ಗೊಬ್ಬರದಗಿಡ್ಡ (Gobbaradgidda)
Sanskrit ಪಾದಪ-ಉತ್ಪ್ಲವ-ಕೀಟಃ (pādapa-utplava-kīṭaḥ)
Bengaliಜಾಬಪೋಕಾ (Jābapōkā), ಅಾಂಶಪೋಕಾ (Ām̐śapōkā)
Frenchpsylle
Russianಪ್ಸಿಲ್ಲಿಡಾ (psillida), ಲಿಸ್ಟೋಬ್ಲೋಷ್ಕಾ (listobloshka)
Spanishpsílido, psilla
GermanPsylliden, Blattsauger, Blattfloh
