Cacopsylla pyricola

Definition

A species of psyllid (family Psyllidae, order Hemiptera), commonly called the pear psylla or pear sucker, that feeds on phloem sap of pear trees (Pyrus spp.). Native to Europe and introduced to North America in the early 1800s, it is now a major economic pest of commercial pear orchards worldwide. Heavy infestations cause leaf stippling, honeydew secretion with associated sooty mold, and can transmit the phytoplasma pathogen Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri, agent of pear decline disease.

Etymology

Generic name Cacopsylla from Greek kakos (bad, harmful) + psylla (flea); specific epithet pyricola from Latin pyrum (pear) + -cola (dweller, inhabitant), referring to its host association.

Example

In Pacific Northwest pear orchards, integrated pest management programs for Cacopsylla pyricola combine winter egg sprays, summer nymphal monitoring, and conservation of the parasitoid wasp Trechnites insidiosus to reduce insecticide applications.

Synonyms

• Pear psylla
• pear sucker
• Psylla pyricola (obsolete)

Related Terms

• Psyllidae
• Hemiptera
• phloem feeder
• Pear decline
• Trechnites insidiosus
• Integrated Pest Management
• honeydew
• Sooty mold

Usage Notes

The common name 'pear sucker' is older but less precise; modern literature prefers 'pear psylla' to emphasize family Psyllidae and distinguish from other sucking insects. The species is frequently misspelled with authority as 'Förster' or 'Foerster' depending on transliteration convention; the original 1848 description used 'Foerster'. In orchard contexts, 'summerform' and 'winterform' refer to seasonal morphs differing in size, color, and reproductive diapause status.