Boreioglycaspis melaleucae

Strictly associated with Melaleuca quinquenervia trees; occurs on foliage and young stems where phloem feeding takes place. In its introduced Florida range, inhabits wetland ecosystems including the Everglades, as well as upland sites where the host tree has invaded.

Native to Australia (New South Wales, Northern Territory); introduced and established in Florida, USA (first released in Broward County in February 2002, with subsequent spread throughout South Florida). GBIF records also indicate presence in Puerto Rico (PUEOO) and Caloosahatchee region (CALOO).

Activity limited by temperature thresholds; development occurs between 10°C and 30°C with optimal development at 25°C. Summer temperatures in southern Florida frequently exceed 30°C, causing population growth reduction during this period. No individuals complete development below 10°C or above 30°C.

Phloem feeder; specialized on Melaleuca quinquenervia (Myrtaceae). Feeds on vascular tissues of leaves and young stems.

• Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S.T. Blake - obligate hostOnly known host; complete development and reproduction restricted to this species

Developmental stages include egg, nymph (with multiple instars), and adult. Total development rate increases linearly with temperature up to 25°C, then decreases at higher temperatures. Nymphal survivorship is temperature-dependent with no development below 10°C or above 30°C.

Produces waxy secretions from specialized structures on the integument; both males and females excrete honeydew. Adults are capable of dispersal to locate host plants.

Classical biological control agent for invasive Melaleuca quinquenervia in Florida; reduces host tree fitness through phloem feeding. Serves as host for the parasitoid wasp Psyllaephagus migrator, which has reduced psyllid populations in Florida.

Intentionally introduced for biological control of melaleuca, an invasive tree that displaces native vegetation, degrades wildlife habitat, creates fire hazards, and causes human health problems in South Florida. Population effectiveness is limited by high summer temperatures and parasitism.

• biological control
• invasive species management
• phloem feeder
• temperature-dependent development
• Australia native
• Florida introduced

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• A Psyllid, Boreioglycaspis melaleucae Moore (Insecta: Hemiptera: Psyllidae)
• Biology and Host-Range of Boreioglycaspis melaleucae (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), Potential Biological Control Agent for Melaleuca quinquenervia (Myrtaceae)
• Host range of Boreioglycaspis melaleucae Moore (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), a potential biocontrol agent of Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S.T. Blake (Myrtaceae), under quarantine
• Ultrastructure of Wax-Producing Structures on the Integument of the Melaleuca Psyllid Boreioglycaspis melaleucae (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), with Honeydew Excretion Behavior in Males and Females
• Geographic Distribution and Regional Impacts ofOxyops vitiosa(Coleoptera: Curculionidae) andBoreioglycaspis melaleucae(Hemiptera: Psyllidae), Biological Control Agents of the Invasive TreeMelaleuca quinquenervia
• Influence of Temperature, Humidity, and Plant Terpenoid Profile on Life History Characteristics of Boreioglycaspis melaleucae (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), a Biological Control Agent of the Invasive Tree Melaleuca quinquenervia
• Figure 2 from: McClelland AR, Moore MR, Bremer JS, Talamas EJ, Halbert SE, Singarayan VT, Brown BT, Purcell MF, Brookes DR, Hentz MG (2025) You can run, but you will never escape: A new species of Psyllaephagus Ashmead (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae), parasitoid of the classical biological control agent Boreioglycaspis melaleucae (Moore) (Hemiptera, Aphalaridae) in Florida, USA. Journal of Hymenoptera Research 98: 95-116. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.98.133593
• Figure 1 from: McClelland AR, Moore MR, Bremer JS, Talamas EJ, Halbert SE, Singarayan VT, Brown BT, Purcell MF, Brookes DR, Hentz MG (2025) You can run, but you will never escape: A new species of Psyllaephagus Ashmead (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae), parasitoid of the classical biological control agent Boreioglycaspis melaleucae (Moore) (Hemiptera, Aphalaridae) in Florida, USA. Journal of Hymenoptera Research 98: 95-116. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.98.133593
• Figure 4 from: McClelland AR, Moore MR, Bremer JS, Talamas EJ, Halbert SE, Singarayan VT, Brown BT, Purcell MF, Brookes DR, Hentz MG (2025) You can run, but you will never escape: A new species of Psyllaephagus Ashmead (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae), parasitoid of the classical biological control agent Boreioglycaspis melaleucae (Moore) (Hemiptera, Aphalaridae) in Florida, USA. Journal of Hymenoptera Research 98: 95-116. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.98.133593
• You can run, but you will never escape: A new species of Psyllaephagus Ashmead (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae), parasitoid of the classical biological control agent Boreioglycaspis melaleucae (Moore) (Hemiptera, Aphalaridae) in Florida, USA
• Figure 3 from: McClelland AR, Moore MR, Bremer JS, Talamas EJ, Halbert SE, Singarayan VT, Brown BT, Purcell MF, Brookes DR, Hentz MG (2025) You can run, but you will never escape: A new species of Psyllaephagus Ashmead (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae), parasitoid of the classical biological control agent Boreioglycaspis melaleucae (Moore) (Hemiptera, Aphalaridae) in Florida, USA. Journal of Hymenoptera Research 98: 95-116. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.98.133593
• Initial Impacts and Field Validation of Host Range for <I>Boreioglycaspis melaleucae</I> Moore (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), a Biological Control Agent of the Invasive Tree <I>Melaleuca quinquenervia</I> (Cav.) Blake (Myrtales: Myrtaceae: Leptospermoideae)
• Supplementary material 3 from: McClelland AR, Moore MR, Bremer JS, Talamas EJ, Halbert SE, Singarayan VT, Brown BT, Purcell MF, Brookes DR, Hentz MG (2025) You can run, but you will never escape: A new species of Psyllaephagus Ashmead (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae), parasitoid of the classical biological control agent Boreioglycaspis melaleucae (Moore) (Hemiptera, Aphalaridae) in Florida, USA. Journal of Hymenoptera Research 98: 95-116. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.98.133593
• Supplementary material 1 from: McClelland AR, Moore MR, Bremer JS, Talamas EJ, Halbert SE, Singarayan VT, Brown BT, Purcell MF, Brookes DR, Hentz MG (2025) You can run, but you will never escape: A new species of Psyllaephagus Ashmead (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae), parasitoid of the classical biological control agent Boreioglycaspis melaleucae (Moore) (Hemiptera, Aphalaridae) in Florida, USA. Journal of Hymenoptera Research 98: 95-116. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.98.133593
• Supplementary material 2 from: McClelland AR, Moore MR, Bremer JS, Talamas EJ, Halbert SE, Singarayan VT, Brown BT, Purcell MF, Brookes DR, Hentz MG (2025) You can run, but you will never escape: A new species of Psyllaephagus Ashmead (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae), parasitoid of the classical biological control agent Boreioglycaspis melaleucae (Moore) (Hemiptera, Aphalaridae) in Florida, USA. Journal of Hymenoptera Research 98: 95-116. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.98.133593