Homotomidae

fig psyllids, mulberry psyllids

Genus Guides

Homotoma(fig psylla)
Macrohomotoma

is a of small phloem-feeding insects in the superfamily Psylloidea, commonly known as fig or mulberry psyllids. Members feed almost exclusively on Moraceae, primarily the Ficus, with rare exceptions such as Triozamia on Antiaris toxicaria. The family contains approximately 70 described across three : Dynopsyllinae, Macrohomotominae, and Homotominae. Several species are economically significant pests of ornamental and cultivated figs, including the Macrohomotoma gladiata, which has spread from Asia to Europe, North Africa, and North America.

Homotoma ficus by (c) portioid, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by portioid. Used under a CC-BY license.

Macrohomotoma gladiata by no rights reserved, uploaded by Jesse Rorabaugh. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Homotomidae: /hoʊ.moʊˈtɒm.ɪˌdiː/

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

Identification

are distinguished from other Psylloidea by their strong association with Moraceae plants, particularly Ficus. Members of the Homotoma are commonly called fig psyllids and are associated with Ficus carica. Macrohomotoma are recognized by their damage : rolled leaf tips, dense white woolly waxy secretions, and honeydew deposits on Ficus microcarpa. The was historically recognized as distinct but was subsumed as Homotominae within Carsidaridae in 2021; this taxonomic change affects identification keys and literature.

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Habitat

Primarily associated with Moraceae plants in diverse settings: natural forests, agricultural fig orchards, and urban ornamental plantings. Ficus microcarpa in urban zones and parks; Ficus carica in cultivated orchards. Some occupy mountain regions, as with Moriphila furva collected in northeastern South Korean mountains on Morus australis.

Distribution

Global distribution centered on native ranges of Ficus and Morus: Asia (East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia), Mediterranean region, Africa (Cameroon, Afrotropical region for Phytolyma), and introduced in Europe (Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Montenegro, Serbia), North Africa (Morocco, Tunisia), and North America (USA, California).

Seasonality

Macrohomotoma gladiata exhibits or partial trivoltine with in May, August, and October-January; young nymphs present year-round except August-September; development slows in autumn and winter. occurs as young nymphs (first and second instars) protected under stipules. Homotoma ficus phenology in Serbia not detailed in available sources.

Diet

Phloem-feeding on plant sap, targeting young and developing tissues. specificity is extreme: almost exclusively Moraceae Ficus, with the sole documented exception being Triozamia on Antiaris toxicaria (also Moraceae).

Host Associations

Ficus microcarpa - primary Ornamental tree; main for Macrohomotoma gladiata
Ficus carica - primary Cultivated fig; for Homotoma ficus and H. indica
Ficus benjamina - Recorded for Macrohomotoma gladiata
Ficus benghalensis - Recorded for Macrohomotoma gladiata
Ficus concinna - for Macrohomotoma sinica in China
Morus australis - likely Collection site for Moriphila furva in Korea
Morus mesozygia - for Phytolyma tchuentei in Cameroon
Antiaris toxicaria - Only non-Ficus recorded; for Triozamia

Life Cycle

with , five nymphal instars, and stages. Macrohomotoma gladiata: eggs laid under stipules; first and second instar nymphs overwinter without further development; middle-aged and late instars in spring and summer; adults rarely observed. or partial third possible. Homotoma : eggs, larvae, and adults documented but detailed not available from sources.

Behavior

Nymphs produce dense white woolly waxy secretions covering twigs and rolled leaf tips. Honeydew leads to sooty mould growth and blackened twigs, causing twig dieback. Young nymphs shelter under stipules, particularly during . are strong jumpers characteristic of Psylloidea but are recorded in very low numbers in some .

Ecological Role

Herbivores specializing on Moraceae phloem; some are significant pests causing direct damage through feeding and indirect damage via sooty mould. Support (Psyllaephagus species, Encyrtidae) and predatory (Anthocoris nemoralis, Anthocoridae). Honeydew production may support other sugar-feeding insects in urban .

Human Relevance

Several are economically damaging pests of ornamental and cultivated figs. Macrohomotoma gladiata is in the Mediterranean Basin, Europe, and North America, causing serious damage to Ficus microcarpa in urban plantings through leaf rolling, waxy secretions, and honeydew. Homotoma ficus causes economic damage on cultivated figs in certain years. Management interest in using (Psyllaephagus) and (Anthocoris).

Similar Taxa

Carsidaridae was subsumed as Homotominae within Carsidaridae in 2021; historically treated as separate
TriozidaeBoth are Psylloidea with some Ficus-associated ; distinguished by range breadth and morphological characters
PsyllidaeAnother Psylloidea ; distinguished by extreme specialization on Moraceae and waxy secretion production

More Details

Taxonomic Status

was subsumed to Homotominae within Carsidaridae in 2021. Literature prior to this date treats Homotomidae as a distinct family. This affects retrieval and interpretation of older sources.

Systematic Classification

Three recognized: Dynopsyllinae ( Diceraopsylla, Dynopsylla, Austrodynopsylla, Triozamia, Afrodynopsylla), Macrohomotominae (genera Mycopsylla, Macrohomotoma, Pseudoeriopsylla, Moriphila), and Homotominae (genera Homotoma, Synoza). Total approximately 70 described .