Triozidae

jumping plant lice

Genus Guides

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is one of seven of jumping plant lice (Psylloidea), traditionally grouped with Psyllidae but now recognized as distinct. It is the third-largest family in the superfamily, containing approximately 27 . Many are economically significant agricultural pests, including of plant such as Candidatus Liberibacter species that cause zebra chip in potatoes and huanglongbing in citrus. Members are characterized by their jumping ability and -specific associations with plants.

Lauritrioza alacris by (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Baeoalitriozus diospyri by (c) Justin Williams, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Justin Williams. Used under a CC-BY license.Bactericera maculipennis by no rights reserved, uploaded by Jesse Rorabaugh. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Triozidae: /triˈoʊzɪˌdiː/

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

Identification

Distinguished from other Psylloidea by wing venation, particularly the structure of the medial in the forewing, and by genal process . The family can be separated from Psyllidae by specific wing cell configurations and antennal proportions. Within , are distinguished by genal process length and shape, wing patterning, and male and female terminalia structure. identification often requires examination of plant associations and geographic distribution, as many species are narrowly host-specific. Molecular markers including COI and cytB are used for species-level identification in taxonomically complex groups.

Images

Appearance

Small insects resembling tiny cicadas, typically 2–3 mm in body length. possess clear membranous wings held rooflike over the body when at rest. Many exhibit distinctive color patterns including black bodies with white markings; for example, Bactericera cockerelli has a broad white band on the first abdominal segment and an inverted white 'V' on the last segment. are relatively short, 1.1–1.5 times the width of the . Genal processes vary in length among , from short and conical to extremely elongated. Forewings may be clear or mottled with dark markings, with broadly rounded to subangular apices. Nymphs of some species display ornamental and tentacles.

Habitat

Diverse terrestrial including agricultural fields, orchards, forest understories, and native vegetation. Many are associated with specific plants ranging from herbaceous crops to woody trees. Some species occupy forest understories at elevations of 1,000–2,000 meters. Agricultural habitats include potato fields, citrus groves, guava orchards, and brassica crops. Non-crop hosts include weedy Solanaceae such as silverleaf nightshade, matrimony vine (Lycium spp.), and various native plant species.

Distribution

Worldwide distribution with records from North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific islands including Hawaii. Specific distribution records documented for Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Many exhibit restricted geographic ranges, with some Hawaiian showing single-island . Agricultural pest species have expanded ranges following crop ; Bactericera cockerelli occurs throughout the Rocky Mountain potato-growing corridor and has become established in southern California as a year-round resident rather than seasonal migrant.

Seasonality

Activity patterns vary by and climate. In temperate regions, potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli) peak during growing seasons with year-round activity in southern California where occurs. In the Pacific Northwest, psyllids colonize matrimony vine in spring before migrating to potato fields in summer. Some species associated with deciduous likely follow host plant . Specific seasonality data for most species is not documented.

Diet

Phloem-feeding using to extract plant sap. Early instars of some gall-inducing feed on parenchyma tissue before transitioning to phloem feeding in later stages. of some species feed on both and non-host plants; Trioza acuminatissima adults feed on non-host plants despite larval development on Neolitsea acuminatissima. Specific dietary breadth varies from strict monophagy to oligophagy within plant or .

Host Associations

  • Solanum tuberosum - potato, primary of Bactericera cockerelli
  • Solanum lycopersicum - tomato, preferred for settling and oviposition
  • Capsicum spp. - pepper, settled upon but less preferred
  • Solanum melongena - eggplant
  • Solanum elaeagnifolium - silverleaf nightshade, for Liberibacter
  • Lycium spp. - matrimony vine/goji berry, in Pacific Northwest
  • Citrus spp. - of Trioza erytreae, African citrus
  • Diospyros spp. - persimmon, of Baeoalitriozus diospyri
  • Laurus nobilis - bay tree, of Lauritrioza alacris
  • Magnolia spp. - of Trioza magnoliae
  • Brassica oleracea - cabbage, of Bactericera tremblayi
  • Psidium guajava - guava, of Triozoida limbata
  • Trewia nudiflora - of Trioza fletcheri, gall inducer
  • Shepherdia argentea - silver buffaloberry, of Bactericera arbolensis
  • Shepherdia canadensis - Canadian buffaloberry
  • Neolitsea acuminatissima - of Trioza acuminatissima
  • Planchonella sandwicensis - sole of all nine Swezeyana in Hawaii
  • Helicia spp. - Proteaceae, of Trioza burckhardti
  • Casuarina spp. - of Casuarinicola
  • Eucalyptus spp. - of Schedotrioza
  • Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum - pathogen_vectorcauses zebra chip in potato
  • Candidatus Liberibacter psyllaurous - pathogen_vectorcauses purple top in potato
  • Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus - pathogen_vectorhuanglongbing in citrus, vectored by Trioza erytreae

Life Cycle

Hemimetabolous development with , nymph, and stages. Eggs are football-shaped, extremely small (slightly larger than leaf hairs), laid on short stalks, typically on undersides of leaves along edges and in upper plant ; 10× magnification required for observation. Nymphs develop through multiple instars on plants. Gall-inducing create distinct plant structures: pit galls, leaf-curling galls, or rosette galls on abaxial leaf surfaces. Developmental duration and survival vary with host plant suitability; survival is negatively affected by plant-fungus producing ergot alkaloids in some Convolvulaceae hosts.

Behavior

Strong jumping ability when disturbed, a characteristic shared with other Psylloidea. used for mate location, with males and females performing substrate-borne duets consisting of simple chirps accompanied by rapid wing vibrations. Chirp duration varies with substrate type, with shorter signals produced on non- plants, though this does not affect mating success. Settling and oviposition preferences demonstrate host discrimination; Bactericera cockerelli prefers potato and tomato equally for settling and oviposition, with larger host plants attracting more individuals regardless of . Aggregated spatial distribution patterns within fields, creating patchy rather than uniform occupation. and stages show clumped distributions validated by semivariogram analysis.

Ecological Role

Phloem-feeding herbivores that induce plant galls in many , creating localized nutrient sinks that alter plant metabolism. Gall induction increases total soluble sugars, reducing sugars, proteins, and free in affected tissues, along with enhanced activities including IAA-oxidase, α-amylase, peroxidase, and invertase. Serve as for Candidatus Liberibacter bacterial , transmitting that cause major economic damage in potato and citrus production. Act as prey for including Tamarixia species (Eulophidae). Some species maintain pathogen in non-crop hosts, bridging agricultural and natural . link crop and non-crop , with weedy hosts supporting when cultivated crops are unavailable.

Human Relevance

Significant agricultural pests causing substantial economic losses. Bactericera cockerelli transmits Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum, causing zebra chip in potatoes that renders tubers unmarketable due to black striping and bitter flavor when processed; estimated $22.5 million in losses in New Zealand (2010–2011) and up to 60% crop loss in northern Mexico. Trioza erytreae huanglongbing (citrus greening), a devastating citrus disease. Other pest affect persimmon, bay trees, guava, and brassica crops. Management relies on monitoring, chemical control, and using . Research focuses on understanding alternate , patterns, and development of germplasm.

Similar Taxa

  • PsyllidaeTraditionally grouped together; distinguished by wing venation details particularly medial structure, and antennal proportions relative to width
  • AphididaeSimilar small size and phloem-feeding habit; distinguished by jumping ability, wing posture at rest, and cornicle presence in aphids
  • CicadellidaeSimilar body plan and jumping ; distinguished by wing venation, , and hind leg structure

More Details

Taxonomic History

Formerly included within a single Psyllidae; modern classifications based on morphological and molecular data recognize seven families within Psylloidea, with as the third-largest containing 27

Gall Induction

Multiple induce distinct gall types: Schedotrioza on Eucalyptus, Trioza fletcheri on Trewia nudiflora, Trioza burckhardti on Helicia, and Trioza acuminatissima with individual pit galls

Acoustic Communication

Substrate-borne signals used for recognition and mate choice; signal characteristics vary with plant substrate but do not alter mating outcomes

Vector Competence

Multiple Candidatus Liberibacter ; transmission varies with plant, pathogen strain, and

Sources and further reading