Psylloidea

jumping plant lice, psyllids, psylloids

Family Guides

Aphalaridae(jumping plant lice)
Calophyidae
Carsidaridae
Homotomidae(fig psyllids)
Liviidae(plant lice)
Phacopteronidae(jumping plant-lice)
Psyllidae(jumping plant lice)
Triozidae(jumping plant lice)

is a superfamily of true bugs (Hemiptera) in the suborder Sternorrhyncha, commonly known as jumping plant lice or psyllids. The group comprises approximately 3,800 described classified into seven extant : Aphalaridae, Calophyidae, Carsidaridae, Liviidae, Mastigimatidae, Psyllidae, and Triozidae. Fossil evidence indicates the superfamily originated in the Early Jurassic, though modern families do not appear until the Eocene. Psyllids are obligate phloem-feeders, typically exhibiting high specificity with most species restricted to a single plant species or closely related group. Many species are economically significant agricultural pests, notably as of bacterial and viral plant .

Damaeus by (c) Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas. Used under a CC-BY license.

Epidermoptidae by (c) Cricket Raspet, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Cricket Raspet. Used under a CC-BY license.

Psoroptidae by (c) Oleksii Vasyliuk, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Oleksii Vasyliuk. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Psylloidea: /sɪˈlɔɪdiə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Psyllids are distinguished from other Sternorrhyncha by the combination of jumping ability (enlarged hind ), long , and wings held in a roof-like position. They differ from aphids (Aphidoidea) by the presence of jumping hind legs and absence of cornicles. They differ from whiteflies (Aleyrodoidea) by wing posture (vertical vs. flat) and body shape. They differ from scale insects (Coccoidea) by mobility of all life stages and presence of well-developed wings in most . -level identification requires examination of wing venation, genitalia, and capsule structure.

Images

Habitat

Terrestrial environments dominated by angiosperm vegetation. Most are intimately associated with specific plants, occupying leaves, stems, or roots depending on species. range from agricultural crops and orchards to native forests, shrublands, and riparian corridors. Some species induce galls on host plants. Non-crop vegetation serves as critical habitat for many pest species during seasonal host absence.

Distribution

distribution across all major biogeographic regions except Antarctica. Highest diversity in tropical and subtropical regions. The Hawaiian Islands harbor exceptional adaptive radiation with 36 described of Pariaconus associated with Metrosideros polymorpha. Specific distribution records documented for Israel (94 species), Mallorca (multiple first records), Taiwan, and Panama.

Seasonality

Activity patterns closely tied to plant . In temperate regions, most exhibit or with synchronized with host flush growth. In tropical and subtropical regions, continuous breeding occurs with multiple annually. strategies vary by species: some as , others as adults seeking alternate hosts or protected microhabitats.

Diet

Obligate phloem-feeders. and nymphs insert stylets into plant phloem tissue and feed on sap. Most exhibit high fidelity, restricted to single plant species or congeneric hosts. Some species utilize non-host plants opportunistically for water and nutrients during or host absence, though typically requires specific hosts.

Host Associations

Metrosideros polymorpha - Keystone for Hawaiian Pariaconus radiation
Citrus spp. - Primary for Diaphorina citri and Trioza erytreae
Solanum tuberosum - for Bactericera cockerelli
Pyrus communis - for Cacopsylla pyricola
Persea americana - for Trioza perseae
Daucus carota - for Trioza apicalis
Shepherdia argentea - for Bactericera arbolensis
Neolitsea acuminatissima - for Trioza acuminatissima

Life Cycle

Hemimetabolous development with , nymph, and stages. Eggs typically deposited on plant, often along leaf margins or in crevices. Nymphs pass through five instars, generally and feeding at fixed locations; some develop within protective galls. Adults are mobile, capable of jumping and . time varies from several weeks to months depending on temperature and host quality.

Behavior

Characterized by jumping locomotion using enlarged hind legs. produce substrate-borne acoustic signals () for mate location and courtship, involving -specific duets between males and females. Some species exhibit gall-induction , chemically manipulating plant tissue to form protective structures. Seasonal behavior documented: adults move extensively through landscapes seeking hosts or sites, utilizing non-host plants as temporary resources.

Ecological Role

Primary consumers in terrestrial , transferring energy from plants to higher . Serve as prey for diverse including lacewings, lady beetles, and . Some function as keystone herbivores, notably the Hawaiian Pariaconus radiation on Metrosideros polymorpha. As of plant (Liberibacter, phytoplasmas, viruses), certain species exert disproportionate ecological and economic impact. Gall-forming species create microhabitats used by other organisms.

Human Relevance

Approximately 45 are serious agricultural pests. Major economic impacts include: Diaphorina citri and Trioza erytreae as of (huanglongbing); Bactericera cockerelli as vector of zebra chip in potatoes; Cacopsylla pyricola as pear pest; multiple Trioza species affecting carrot, avocado, and other crops. Management challenges arise from cryptic off-crop and transmission capacity. Some species investigated for of weeds.

Similar Taxa

Aphidoidea (aphids)Both Sternorrhyncha with phloem-feeding habits; distinguished by aphids' possession of cornicles (abdominal siphuncles) and absence of jumping hind legs
Aleyrodoidea (whiteflies)Both small phloem-feeding Sternorrhyncha; distinguished by whiteflies' wings held flat over body in tent-like fashion, shorter , and different wing venation
Coccoidea (scale insects)Both plant-feeding Sternorrhyncha; distinguished by scale insects' typically reduced or absent wings in females, females, and often waxy covering

More Details

Acoustic communication

Psyllids produce substrate-borne vibrational signals through rapid wing vibrations and abdominal oscillations. Males and females engage in acoustic duets with -specific temporal patterns. Signal duration varies with substrate type: shorter signals produced on non- plants without disrupting mating success.

Gut content analysis applications

sequencing of gut contents enables identification of previously consumed plants, providing novel method to track landscape movements and identify non-crop of pest . This approach revealed extensive movement between agricultural and non-agricultural in pear psylla, potato psyllid, and Asian citrus psyllid.

Hawaiian adaptive radiation

The Pariaconus on Hawaiian Metrosideros polymorpha represents exceptional diversification with 36 described , including gall-formers and free-living forms. This radiation exemplifies ecological speciation driven by plant diversity across soil types, rainfall zones, and elevations.