Heteropsylla

Crawford, 1914

Species Guides

4

Heteropsylla is a of legume-feeding psyllids within the Ciriacreminae. The genus comprises approximately 40 described , with 39 recognized in a comprehensive taxonomic revision that included 21 newly described species. Species are predominantly associated with plants in the legume subfamily Mimosoideae, with rare exceptions in Caesalpinioideae. The genus is neotropical in origin, though at least one species, H. cubana, has become widely distributed as a pest of Leucaena in tropical regions worldwide.

Psyllid - Heteropsylla probably huasachae, Big Thicket National Preserve, Kountze, Texas by Judy Gallagher. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.Heteropsylla texana by Elliott Gordon. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Heteropsylla: /hɛtɛroʊˈpsɪlə/

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

Identification

Heteropsylla are distinguished from related by characters of both and final instar larvae. A revised generic was established using morphological features of these life stages. Keys to identification of adult males, adult females, and final instar larvae have been published for the genus.

Images

Distribution

The is primarily neotropical in distribution. Heteropsylla cubana, the most economically important , has been introduced widely and occurs in Africa, Asia, Australasia, Pacific Islands, North America, Central America, Caribbean, and South America.

Host Associations

  • Mimosoideae - primary plants35 of 39 ; legume
  • Caesalpinioideae - exceptional plantsthree only
  • Leucaena leucocephala - of H. cubanaprimary of the most economically important
  • Leucaena pallida - of H. cubanaless preferred than L. leucocephala
  • Leucaena diversifolia - of H. cubana
  • Leucaena salvadorensis - of H. cubana
  • Prosopis (mesquite) - of H. texana

Life Cycle

Final instar larvae of 22 have been described and illustrated. and early instar nymphs of H. cubana are concentrated on the first fully expanded leaf and 1-2 adjacent unexpanded leaves on the terminal; later instar nymphs migrate to the stem and leaves closer to the bud.

Behavior

H. cubana have been observed to distinguish among Leucaena varieties over a distance, showing significantly higher attraction to L. leucocephala than to L. pallida or hybrid varieties. treatment increases plant attractiveness to adults.

Ecological Role

Heteropsylla function as phytophagous insects on leguminous plants. H. cubana serves as host for multiple species including Tamarixia leucaenae and Psyllaephagus yaseeni, and is preyed upon by introduced and native .

Human Relevance

Heteropsylla cubana is a destructive pest of Leucaena used as cattle fodder, shade trees in tropical plantations, and for other agroforestry purposes. The species has been subject to programs using introduced and . H. texana has been investigated as a potential biological control agent for mesquite (Prosopis) weeds.

Similar Taxa

  • LimbopsyllaH. boquetensis was transferred from Limbopsylla to Heteropsylla; generic boundaries were revised based on and larval characters

More Details

Taxonomic revision

A comprehensive revision of the recognized 39 , with 21 newly described, and transferred one species from Limbopsylla

Sampling methods

Accurate estimation of H. cubana nymphs requires alcohol washing of leaves to dislodge specimens; visual rating methods are unsuitable

Sources and further reading