Bactericera lobata

(Crawford, 1914)

Bactericera lobata is a ( Triozidae) first described by Crawford in 1914. As a member of the Bactericera, it belongs to a diverse group of phloem-feeding insects commonly known as jumping plant lice. The species is recorded from the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Like other psyllids, it likely feeds on plant phloem sap, though specific associations remain poorly documented. The genus includes economically significant species such as the potato psyllid (B. cockerelli), but B. lobata itself has received limited research attention.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Bactericera lobata: /bækˌtɛrɪˈsɪərə loʊˈbɑːtə/

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Distribution

Recorded from Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, and northwestern Mexico (Baja California). GBIF distribution codes: ARIOO, CALOO, COLOO, NEVOO, NWMOO.

More Details

Taxonomic context

Bactericera lobata is one of approximately 24 Bactericera recorded from North America north of Mexico. The is characterized by forewing venation patterns and genitalic structures that distinguish it from related triozid genera. No comprehensive modern revision of North American Bactericera exists, and species boundaries within the genus remain incompletely resolved.

Research status

This has not been included in gut content analysis studies tracking landscape movements, unlike the congeneric and economically important B. cockerelli. Its ecological role and plant specificity remain unknown due to lack of targeted study.