Psyllidae

Psyllidae

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Psyllidae: /sɪˈlɪdiː/

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

Images

Psyllid Plant Louse (31252498131) by Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Hawthorn Psyllid - Cacopsylla peregrina female (25836712786) by Line Sabroe from Denmark. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Citrus psyllid, u, back, ft detrick 2014-05-01-10.04.27 ZS PMax (15418150061) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.
Psyllid Plant Louse (31252498871) by Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Hornbeam Psyllid Nymph - Flickr - treegrow (1) by Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Asian citrus psyllid D. citri adult by Florida Department of Agriculture. Used under a Public domain license.

Summary

Psyllidae, commonly known as jumping plant lice or psyllids, are a family of small plant-feeding insects that are highly specialized in their feeding habits, impacting the plants they inhabit and representing important agricultural pests in some regions.

Physical Characteristics

Psyllids are small, typically less than 4 mm in length, with a distinctive jumping ability. They have membranous wings and a body structure that is adapted for feeding on plant sap.

Identification Tips

Identification of psyllids often relies on morphological features such as wing structure, body shape, and the presence of lerps in some genera. They are typically host-specific, feeding on specific plant species or closely related plants.

Habitat

Psyllids are commonly found on their host plants, which can vary from trees to shrubs. They inhabit various ecosystems, primarily in temperate and tropical areas.

Distribution

Worldwide, there are approximately 800 species of psyllids identified in over 70 genera. They are particularly diverse in Australia.

Diet

Psyllids primarily feed on the sap of plants. They can exhibit monophagous (feeding on one species) or oligophagous (feeding on a few closely related species) feeding habits.

Life Cycle

Psyllids undergo incomplete metamorphosis, with life stages including egg, nymph (often developing into a flat, sessile instar), and adult. Development time can vary based on species and environmental conditions.

Reproduction

Psyllids reproduce through mating, leading to the female laying eggs on or near their host plants. The eggs hatch into nymphs, which begin the feeding phase.

Predators

Psyllids have various natural predators, including parasitic wasps, lady beetles, and lacewing larvae, which help control their populations.

Ecosystem Role

Psyllids play a role in the ecosystem as herbivores, impacting plant health and serving as prey for various predators. Their interactions can also influence plant community dynamics.

Economic Impact

Certain psyllid species are considered agricultural pests, notably the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri), which is implicated in spreading citrus greening disease.

Collecting Methods

  • Hand collection
  • Sweep netting
  • Yellow sticky traps

Preservation Methods

  • Ethanol preservation
  • Freeze drying
  • Pinning

Evolution

Psyllids have a long evolutionary history, with fossils dating back to the Early Permian. Their diversification is closely linked to the evolution of flowering plants during the Cretaceous.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Psyllids are often confused with aphids or other sap-sucking insects due to their similar appearance and feeding habits.

Tags

  • insects
  • hemiptera
  • plant pests
  • agriculture
  • ecology