Macrohomotoma gladiata

Kuwayama, 1908

Curtain Fig Psyllid

Macrohomotoma gladiata is an Asian that has established across the Mediterranean Basin and California, where it infests ornamental Ficus microcarpa. feed on young tissues, producing dense waxy secretions and that promotes sooty mould growth and causes twig dieback. The has a likely with possible partial third ; young nymphs overwinter under stipules without development, resuming growth in spring. include a Psyllaephagus that can achieve high rates, and the predatory Anthocoris nemoralis.

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

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Macrohomotoma gladiata: //ˌmækroʊhoʊˈmoʊtoʊmə ˌɡlædiˈeɪtə//

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

Identification

are small with typical . are distinguished by dense woolly waxy secretions covering twigs and the tendency to aggregate under connected stipules. Infested trees show rolled leaves at shoot tips, blackened twigs from sooty mould, and conspicuous white waxy masses. Differentiation from other Ficus-feeding psyllids such as Trioza brevigenae requires examination of morphological details: T. brevigenae produces tight leaf rolls rather than waxy woolly secretions, and adults have reddish with greenish or brownish bodies at 2.6–2.8 mm length.

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Habitat

Urban ornamental settings including gardens, parks, and street plantings on Ficus microcarpa. In studied , occurs on infested twigs 8–10 cm long. Thrives in warm temperate to subtropical climates with sufficient precipitation; high summer temperatures and low autumn precipitation may limit abundance.

Distribution

to Eastern Asia (China including Fujian and Shanghai, Hong Kong, India including Maharashtra, Indonesia including Sumatra, Japan including Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, Turkey). in Mediterranean Basin: Spain including mainland, Balearic and Canary Islands, France, Italy including Sicily, Malta, Portugal including Madeira, Greece, Montenegro, Gibraltar, Cyprus, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia. Also established in California, USA.

Seasonality

In Greece, recorded in May, August, and October to early January. First and second present year-round except August–September; reduced in early May. Middle-aged (third instar) and late instar (fourth and fifth instar) nymphs appear in March–April and June–July. Development slows or arrests in winter; young nymphs overwinter without development under stipules. reduction observed in September, associated with low precipitation.

Diet

Phloem-feeding on sap of young and developing tissues of plants.

Host Associations

Ficus microcarpa L.f. - primary main for
Ficus benjamina L. -
Ficus benghalensis L. -

Life Cycle

Likely with possible partial third in autumn. laid under stipules that females connect together; peaks in May, August, and October–January. First and second present throughout year except August–September, under stipules without development. Third instar nymphs recorded in March–April and June–July. Fourth and fifth instar nymphs recorded in March–April and June–July. Development resumes in spring; young nymphs do not develop further under autumn and winter conditions.

Behavior

Females connect stipules together after , creating protected shelters for young . Nymphs produce large quantities of woolly waxy secretions that cover twigs. leads to sooty mould growth and blackened twigs. influenced by precipitation levels and temperature extremes.

Ecological Role

Pest of ornamental Ficus microcarpa causing direct damage through feeding and waxy secretions, and indirect damage via and sooty mould leading to twig dieback. for including Psyllaephagus sp. and predatory Anthocoris nemoralis. potential noted for urban environments where application is restricted. for Liberibacter bacteria, though to plants unconfirmed.

Human Relevance

Significant pest of widely planted ornamental and landscape tree Ficus microcarpa in urban environments. Causes aesthetic degradation through waxy secretions, sooty mould, and twig dieback. Management complicated by concealed feeding habits under stipules and waxy coverings. Natural by shows promise for urban . International trade in ornamental plants implicated in spread across Mediterranean and to California.

Similar Taxa

Trioza brevigenaeAlso on Ficus microcarpa in California; distinguished by tight rather than woolly waxy secretions, and color (reddish in T. brevigenae).
Other Ficus-feeding psyllids in Homotomidae and TriozidaeShare plants and general ; require detailed morphological examination for definitive identification.