Pachypsylla celtidisvesicula
Riley, 1890
hackberry blistergall psyllid
Pachypsylla celtidisvesicula, commonly called the hackberry blistergall , is a of aphalarid psyllid to North America. The induce distinctive blister-like on the leaves of various hackberry species (Celtis spp.), within which they develop through five before emerging as . Adults strongly resemble the related hackberry nipplegall psyllid (Pachypsylla celtidismamma) but can be distinguished by the gall their nymphs produce. Like other hackberry psyllids, adults overwinter in concealed locations and can become a temporary nuisance when they aggregate on building exteriors in fall.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Pachypsylla celtidisvesicula: //pəˌkɪpˈsɪlə sɛlˌtɪdɪsˈvɛsɪkjuːlə//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Distinguished from the closely related Pachypsylla celtidismamma (hackberry nipplegall ) by the produced by its : blister-like galls rather than nipple-shaped galls. are small, approximately 3.5–4.5 mm in length, with a body plan resembling tiny . They possess -like and can be confused with (), which differ in having chewing rather than piercing-sucking mouthparts. are visible in late- nymphs. Adults of different Pachypsylla are morphologically similar and often require association with their characteristic gall for reliable identification.
Habitat
Associated with hackberry trees (Celtis spp.), occurring wherever these plants grow naturally or as ornamentals. develop within leaf . overwinter in concealed microhabitats such as cracks in bark, building crevices, and other sheltered locations.
Distribution
North America, with records spanning much of the continental United States and southern Canada. Documented from Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Texas.
Seasonality
emerge from in late summer to fall, with peak nuisance on buildings occurring during this period. Adults overwinter and become active again in spring when female on newly unfolding hackberry leaves. Timing of is critical and must coincide precisely with leaf from .
Diet
feed on sap within the protective tissue induced on hackberry (Celtis spp.) leaves. feed on plant sap using , though specific tissues are not documented.
Host Associations
- Celtis - inducer induce blister-like on leaves; multiple Celtis utilized
Life Cycle
Females on hackberry leaves during break in spring. hatch and feed, inducing the formation of blister-like as a response. The nymph develops through five within the gall, with the final instar possessing visible and spike-like projections used to cut an exit. emerge from galls in late summer to fall, seek sites, and re-emerge the following spring to reproduce.
Behavior
are sedentary, developing entirely within their individual . are capable of jumping to escape threats, a trait common to . In fall, adults seek sheltered locations for and can aggregate in large numbers on building exteriors, window screens, and door frames. This aggregating is temporary and poses no threat to humans or structures.
Ecological Role
act as inducers, creating specialized microhabitats on hackberry leaves. The galls provide food and shelter for the developing and incidentally support a of including of Psyllaephagus () and Torymus (), which develop by parasitizing nymphs within galls.
Human Relevance
can become a temporary nuisance pest when they aggregate on building exteriors in fall seeking sites. They pose no structural damage, bite, or risk; physical removal with water is sufficient for control. The is not an agricultural or forestry pest.
Similar Taxa
- Pachypsylla celtidismammaStrongly resembles P. celtidisvesicula as an ; distinguished by inducing nipple-shaped rather than blister-like on hackberry leaves
- Other Pachypsylla speciesSix additional occur on hackberry in North America, each producing a characteristic ; is similar across species requiring gall association for identification
- Cecidomyiidae (gall midges)Some also induce on hackberry; distinguished by gall and by rearing to stage