Blastopsylla

Taylor, 1985

eucalypt shoot psyllid

Species Guides

Blastopsylla occidentalis(Eucalyptus Shoot Psyllid)

Blastopsylla is a of psyllids in the Aphalaridae. The genus contains at least one economically significant , Blastopsylla occidentalis, native to Australia and introduced to multiple continents including the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Species in this genus are associated with Eucalyptus species, feeding on plant sap and causing damage to shoot tips.

Blastopsylla occidentalis by no rights reserved, uploaded by Jesse Rorabaugh. Used under a CC0 license.

Blastopsylla (male terminalia) by S.E. Thorpe. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Blastopsylla: //blæs.toʊˈsɪl.jə//

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Images

Habitat

Eucalyptus plantations and natural stands of Eucalyptus . Colonies concentrate on shoot tips of branches.

Distribution

Native to Australia (New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia). Introduced to: Africa (Cameroon, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Burundi), Asia (China, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hong Kong, Israel, Turkey, Indonesia, Philippines), Europe (Italy, Portugal, Spain), North America (Mexico, USA: California, Florida, Hawaii), South America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, Nicaragua), Oceania (New Zealand).

Seasonality

In tropical and subtropical regions, all life stages present year-round. peaks during dry seasons (May-September in Brazil) and declines during periods of high rainfall (December-January).

Diet

Phloem sap from Eucalyptus .

Host Associations

Eucalyptus urophylla x E. camaldulensis - Hybrid plantation in Brazil
Eucalyptus pellita - New record from Indonesia
Eucalyptus viminalis - New record
Eucalyptus globulus - in Cameroon

Life Cycle

Development includes , (nymphal), and stages. In Blastopsylla occidentalis: eggs laid on buds, bracts, young leaves and twigs; embryonic and nymphal development followed by adult ; from egg to egg averages 32 days; adults live approximately 11 days; females begin oviposition 8 days after emergence; average 38 eggs per female; sex ratio approximately 1:1. Polyvoltine with continuous breeding in suitable climates.

Behavior

and immatures form colonies concentrated on shoot tips. Feeding causes shoot distortion, reduced growth, and apical tip death. Males typically emerge before females. Mating lasts approximately 42 minutes.

Ecological Role

Herbivore and forest pest. Causes significant damage in eucalyptus nurseries and young plantations through sap feeding on shoot tips, leading to plant weakening and growth reduction.

Human Relevance

Major pest of eucalyptus forestry plantations globally. Economic impact through reduced tree growth and timber quality. Subject to monitoring and programs. potential exists through such as Psyllaephagus blastopsyllae.

Similar Taxa

Glycaspis brimblecombeiAnother introduced pest of eucalyptus; co-occurs in Brazilian plantations and monitored simultaneously using similar trapping methods

More Details

Population dynamics

fluctuations inversely correlated with rainfall; no significant correlation with temperature observed. agent Psyllaephagus blastopsyllae (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) recorded parasitizing nymphs in Indonesia.