Tetragonocephala flava
Crawford, 1914
Sugarberry Psyllid
Tetragonocephala flava is a in the Aphalaridae, commonly known as the Sugarberry Psyllid. First described by Crawford in 1914, this sap-feeding insect belongs to the order Hemiptera, a group characterized by . The species is part of a whose members are typically associated with specific plants.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Tetragonocephala flava: /ˈtɛtrəˌɡoʊnoʊˈsɛfəˌlævə/
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Identification
As a member of Aphalaridae, T. flava can be distinguished from other by wing venation and genitalia characteristics typical of the family. Specific identification features for this are not documented in available sources.
Images
Habitat
details are not explicitly documented. As a , likely associated with woody vegetation supporting its plant.
Distribution
Documented distribution records from GBIF indicate presence in Arkansas (ARIOO) and Texas (TEXOO). iNaturalist reports 14 observations, suggesting limited but confirmed occurrence in these regions.
Diet
As a , feeds on plant phloem sap through . Specific plant associations are not documented in available sources.
Host Associations
- Sugarberry - implied by 'Sugarberry ' suggests association with Celtis laevigata or related Celtis , but this is not explicitly confirmed in available sources.
Ecological Role
As a phloem feeder, may influence plant physiology and serve as prey for and .
Similar Taxa
- Other Tetragonocephala speciesCongeneric would share similar and likely similar associations, requiring examination of genitalia and wing venation for definitive identification.
- Other Aphalaridae psyllids members share general body plan and feeding habits; specific identification requires detailed morphological examination.
More Details
Taxonomic Note
The 'Sugarberry ' implies a association with sugarberry (Celtis laevigata), a hackberry native to the southeastern and south-central United States. This geographic correlation aligns with the documented distribution in Arkansas and Texas, though the host relationship should be considered provisional pending direct documentation.
Data Limitations
Available sources provide minimal biological detail for this . GBIF records are sparse (79 records), and iNaturalist observations (14) are limited. The species appears understudied relative to economically important psyllids.