Ornamental-plant-pest
Guides
Calophya schini
Peppertree Psyllid
Calophya schini is a small psyllid in the family Calophyidae, specialized on Schinus molle (Peruvian peppertree). Adults are approximately 2 mm in length with orange to pale yellow or green coloration and hyaline wings. The species is endemic to Central America but has been introduced widely through human cultivation of its host plant, now occurring in the United States, New Zealand, and other regions. Nymphs cause distinctive dimples on leaves and can produce severe leaf malformations when abundant.
Clydonopteron sacculana
Trumpet Vine Moth
Clydonopteron sacculana is a small snout moth (Pyralidae) first described from the Americas in 1800. Adults are active from May to August with a wingspan of 15–25 mm. The species exhibits documented host plant flexibility, with larvae feeding on Campsis radicans seed pods and, in North Carolina populations, internally on Pyrus calleryana fruit.
Periphyllus californiensis
California maple aphid, Japanese maple aphid
Periphyllus californiensis is an invasive aphid species native to East Asia (Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, Russian Far East) that has established populations in North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. It is a specialist feeder on maple trees (Acer spp.), with documented hosts including Acer palmatum, A. japonicum, A. amoenum, and numerous other maple species. The species exhibits complex phenological synchrony with host trees, producing distinct larval morphs—non-summer-diapause larvae on unexpanded leaves and summer-diapause (aestivating) dimorphs on expanded leaves—based on host plant nutritional quality rather than genetic generation. High mortality (>99.9%) of summer dimorphs has been observed, with survivors resuming activity in autumn. The species has been recorded in Poland since 2009 and spreads via ornamental maple trade.
Takecallis
bamboo aphids
Takecallis is a genus of bamboo-feeding aphids in the family Aphididae, containing approximately 7-8 species of Oriental origin. All species are specialized herbivores on bamboo (subfamily Bambusoideae). Native to Southeast Asia including China, India, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, several species have been introduced to Europe, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania through the ornamental bamboo trade. Some introduced populations exhibit invasive characteristics including range expansion and holocyclic or anholocyclic reproduction strategies.