Platycorypha

Tuthill, 1945

Species Guides

1

Platycorypha is a of jumping plantlice (psyllids) in the Psyllidae, established as the type genus of the Platycoryphinae in 2021. The genus comprises approximately 16 described , including two extinct species known from fossils. Species occur across the Americas, southern Europe, and Africa. Some species have become pests in urban landscapes, notably Platycorypha nigrivirga on Tipuana tipu in Mediterranean Europe.

Platycorypha nigrivirga by (c) RAP, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by RAP. Used under a CC-BY license.Tipu Psyllid (Platycorypha nigrivirga) by Jesse Rorabaugh. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Platycorypha: /ˌplætɪˈkɔrɪfə/

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Habitat

Varies by ; includes native forest and urban green areas. Platycorypha nigrivirga is strictly associated with the tipu tree (Tipuana tipu) in urban landscapes.

Distribution

Americas, southern Europe, and Africa. of P. nigrivirga established in temperate areas of Spain and Portugal.

Seasonality

For P. nigrivirga in southern Spain: increases during spring, reaches maximum abundance between late May and mid-June, with sharp declines during summer.

Diet

Phloem-feeding on plants. P. nigrivirga feeds exclusively on Tipuana tipu (Fabaceae).

Host Associations

Ecological Role

Prey for diverse including Anthocoridae, Coccinellidae, Chrysopidae, Miridae, and Araneae. P. nigrivirga functions as an urban pest in invaded ranges.

Human Relevance

P. nigrivirga (tipu ) is an pest in Mediterranean urban landscapes, damaging ornamental Tipuana tipu trees. Serves as prey for potential agents including Anthocoris nemoralis.

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