Liberibacter-vector

Guides

• Macrohomotoma

  Macrohomotoma is a genus of psyllids in the family Homotomidae, established by Kuwayama in 1908. The genus contains approximately 15 described species of plant-parasitic hemipterans. Best-known species include Macrohomotoma gladiata, a significant pest of ornamental Ficus trees that has expanded from its native Asian range to become invasive in the Mediterranean region and elsewhere. The genus is characterized by association with Ficus host plants and production of conspicuous waxy secretions.

  psyllidFicus-pestinvasive-speciesornamental-pesturban-forestryLiberibacter-vector

• Macrohomotoma gladiata

  Curtain Fig Psyllid

  Macrohomotoma gladiata is an invasive Asian psyllid that has established populations across the Mediterranean Basin and California, where it infests ornamental Ficus microcarpa. Nymphs feed on young tissues, producing dense white waxy secretions and honeydew that promotes sooty mould growth and causes twig dieback. The species has a likely bivoltine life cycle with possible partial third generation; young nymphs overwinter under stipules without development, resuming growth in spring. Natural enemies include a Psyllaephagus parasitoid that can achieve high parasitism rates, and the predatory bug Anthocoris nemoralis.

  invasive-speciesurban-pestornamental-pestbiological-controlFicus-pestMediterranean-invasionpsyllidHomotomidaeSternorrhynchaphloem-feederwaxy-secretionssooty-mouldparasitoidPsyllaephagusAnthocoris-nemoralisbivoltineoverwintering-nymphsLiberibacter-vector