Psyllid
Guides
Livia caricis
sedge psyllid
Livia caricis is a psyllid species in the family Liviidae, first described by Crawford in 1914. It belongs to the genus Livia, which comprises psyllids associated with sedges (Carex spp.). The species is found in western North America, with distribution records from British Columbia, California, Colorado, and Idaho. Like other psyllids, it is a small sap-feeding insect with host-specific relationships to its plant hosts.
Livia vernaliforma
Livia vernaliforma is a species of jumping plant louse (psyllid) in the family Liviidae, described by Caldwell in 1940. It belongs to a genus whose members are associated with hackberry trees (Celtis species). The species has been recorded from several western and north-central U.S. states. Like other psyllids, it is a small, sap-feeding insect with host-specific relationships to its plant hosts.
Liviinae
Liviinae is a subfamily of plant lice within the family Liviidae (order Hemiptera). Members are small, sap-feeding insects that inhabit various host plants. The group is distinguished from the other subfamily in Liviidae, Euphyllurinae, by morphological and ecological characteristics.
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.
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.
Neophyllura arbuti
Pacific Madrone Psyllid
Neophyllura arbuti is a psyllid species in the family Liviidae, commonly known as the Pacific Madrone Psyllid. It is associated with Pacific madrone (Arbutus menziesii), a broadleaf evergreen tree native to western North America. The species was originally described as Euphyllura arbuti by Schwarz in 1904 and later transferred to the genus Neophyllura. Records indicate occurrence in California, Oregon, and British Columbia.
Neophyllura arbuticola
Arizona Madrone Psyllid
Neophyllura arbuticola is a psyllid species in the family Liviidae, first described by Crawford in 1914. The species is associated with madrone (Arbutus) host plants, as indicated by its specific epithet. It is known from limited observations in Arizona. The genus Neophyllura comprises psyllids that feed on various host plants, though species-level biological details remain poorly documented for many members.
Neophyllura arctostaphyli
Neophyllura arctostaphyli is a psyllid species in the family Liviidae, originally described by Schwarz in 1904 as Euphyllura arctostaphyli. The species is associated with bearberry (Arctostaphylos), as indicated by its specific epithet. It belongs to a genus of jumping plant lice that feed on woody plants.
Neophyllura bicolor
Neophyllura bicolor is a species of psyllid (family Liviidae) described by Martin in 1931. It belongs to the superfamily Psylloidea, a group of small plant-feeding insects commonly known as jumping plant lice. The species epithet 'bicolor' suggests a two-toned color pattern. Records indicate it has been observed in California (CALOO).
Neophyllura pruinosa
Neophyllura pruinosa is a species of jumping plant louse (psyllid) in the family Liviidae, first described by Martin in 1931. As a member of the Hemiptera order, it is a sap-feeding insect that likely specializes on particular host plants. The genus Neophyllura is part of a group of psyllids associated with various plant families, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented in available literature. The species has been recorded in California, USA based on distribution data.
Neotriozella hirsuta
Neotriozella hirsuta is a psyllid species in the family Triozidae, described by Tuthill in 1939. It belongs to a genus of jumping plant-lice that feed on vascular plants. The species epithet 'hirsuta' refers to hairy characteristics, though specific morphological details remain poorly documented in accessible literature. Like other Triozidae, it likely has a complex life cycle involving multiple nymphal stages and host plant specificity.
Pachypsylla
hackberry gall psyllids, hackberry psyllids
Pachypsylla is a genus of North American psyllids (jumping plant lice) in the family Aphalaridae. All known species are specialized gall-formers on hackberry trees (Celtis spp.), with each species producing a distinct gall type on leaves or petioles. The genus is notable for its intimate association with the bacterial endosymbiont Carsonella ruddii, which has the smallest known cellular genome of any bacterium. Adults are tiny (3.5–4.5 mm), resembling miniature cicadas, and overwinter in concealed locations before emerging to lay eggs on new hackberry growth in spring.
Pachypsylla celtidisasterisca
Hackberry Star Gall Psyllid
Pachypsylla celtidisasterisca is a species of hackberry psyllid native to North America, known for inducing distinctive star-shaped galls on hackberry leaves. Adults emerge in fall and seek shelter to overwinter, becoming a nuisance when they aggregate on building exteriors. The species is one of approximately seven Pachypsylla species associated with hackberry, each producing characteristic gall morphologies that serve as the primary identification cue.
Pachypsylla celtidisgemma
Hackberry Gemma Psyllid
Pachypsylla celtidisgemma is a hackberry psyllid species that induces distinct galls on hackberry trees (Celtis spp.). Adults are small, cicada-like insects measuring 3.5–4.5 mm, with piercing-sucking mouthparts. The species produces "gemma galls"—irregular, wart-like growths on hackberry leaves that house developing nymphs. Like other hackberry psyllids, it has a single generation per year and overwinters as adults in concealed locations.
Pachypsylla celtidisinteneris
Hackberry Blister Gall Psyllid
A tiny psyllid species that induces blister galls on hackberry leaves. Adults overwinter in concealed locations and emerge in fall, sometimes becoming nuisance pests when they congregate on building exteriors. The species is one of approximately seven hackberry psyllid species in North America, each producing distinct gall morphologies.
Pachypsylla celtidismamma
hackberry nipplegall maker, hackberry psylla
A plant-parasitic hemipteran that induces distinctive nipple-shaped galls on hackberry (Celtis) leaves. Adults are 3.5–4.5 mm long, resembling tiny cicadas. The species overwinters as adults in concealed locations and emerges in fall to seek hibernation sites, sometimes becoming a nuisance pest on building exteriors. Nymphs develop within galls, progressing through five instars before emerging as adults.
Pachypsylla celtidisumbilicus
Hackberry Disc Gall Psyllid
Pachypsylla celtidisumbilicus is a species of hackberry psyllid that produces distinctive disc-shaped galls on hackberry leaves (Celtis spp.). Adults emerge in fall and seek shelter to overwinter, often becoming household nuisances when they congregate on building exteriors. The species is one of at least seven Pachypsylla species associated with hackberry in North America, each producing a characteristic gall morphology.
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hackberry blistergall psyllid
Pachypsylla celtidisvesicula, commonly called the hackberry blistergall psyllid, is a species of aphalarid psyllid native to North America. The nymphs induce distinctive blister-like galls on the leaves of various hackberry species (Celtis spp.), within which they develop through five instars before emerging as adults. Adults strongly resemble the related hackberry nipplegall psyllid (Pachypsylla celtidismamma) but can be distinguished by the gall type their nymphs produce. Like other hackberry psyllids, adults overwinter in concealed locations and can become a temporary nuisance when they aggregate on building exteriors in fall.
Pachypsylla cohabitans
Pachypsylla cohabitans is a species of hackberry psyllid described in 2001. Like other members of the genus Pachypsylla, it induces galls on hackberry trees (Celtis species). The species name 'cohabitans' suggests an association with shared or communal gall structures, distinguishing it from other Pachypsylla species that typically form individual galls. It belongs to the family Aphalaridae, a group of sap-feeding insects commonly known as jumping plant lice.
Pachypsylla pallida
Hairy Bud Gall Psyllid
Pachypsylla pallida is a hackberry psyllid species in the family Aphalaridae, known for inducing distinctive galls on hackberry trees (Celtis spp.). It is one of at least seven species in the genus Pachypsylla that specialize on hackberry hosts. The species produces hairy bud galls, distinguishing it from congeners that create nipple galls or other gall morphologies. Like other psyllids, it has piercing-sucking mouthparts and undergoes incomplete metamorphosis with five nymphal instars developing within the protective gall structure.
Pachypsylla venusta
Hackberry Petiole Gall Psyllid
Pachypsylla venusta is a hackberry-associated psyllid that forms distinctive woody galls on hackberry leaf petioles. Adults are small (3.5-4.5 mm), resembling tiny cicadas with piercing-sucking mouthparts. The species maintains an obligate mutualism with Carsonella ruddii, a γ-Proteobacterium with the smallest known cellular genome (160 kb), housed within specialized 16-ploid bacteriocytes. While galls are visually conspicuous, they cause minimal harm to host trees.
Pachypsyllinae
Pachypsyllinae is a subfamily of jumping plant lice (psyllids) in the family Aphalaridae. It comprises three genera: Celtisaspis, Pachypsylla, and Tetragonocephala. Members of this subfamily are associated with hackberry trees (Celtis species) as their host plants. The group was previously classified in the family Carsidaridae, but recent revisions have placed it in Aphalaridae. The genus Pachypsylla includes species that form distinctive plant galls on hackberry leaves and stems.
Pexopsylla cercocarpi
Pexopsylla cercocarpi is a species of jumping plant louse (family Psyllidae) described by Jensen in 1957. The specific epithet "cercocarpi" indicates an association with Cercocarpus (mountain mahogany), a genus of flowering plants in the family Rosaceae. Like other psyllids, this species is likely a phloem-feeding specialist on its host plant. The genus Pexopsylla is part of the diverse psyllid fauna of western North America.
Phacopteronidae
jumping plant-lice
Phacopteronidae is a family of psyllids (jumping plant-lice) within the superfamily Psylloidea. The family contains at least 31 Afrotropical species, primarily in the genus Pseudophacopteron, with additional species in the genus Phacopteron reported from southern India. Most species are associated with host plants in the order Sapindales, particularly Burseraceae and Rutaceae. Some species are gall-inducers, while others are free-living phloem feeders. The family has been documented as containing pests of cultivated plants, including species damaging to Dacryodes edulis in Cameroon.
Platycorypha
Platycorypha is a genus of jumping plantlice (psyllids) in the family Psyllidae, established as the type genus of the subfamily Platycoryphinae in 2021. The genus comprises approximately 16 described species, including two extinct species known from fossils. Species occur across the Americas, southern Europe, and Africa. Some species have become invasive pests in urban landscapes, notably Platycorypha nigrivirga on Tipuana tipu in Mediterranean Europe.
Pseudophacopteron
Pseudophacopteron is a genus of psyllids (Hemiptera: Phacopteronidae) first described by Enderlein in 1921. Species in this genus are associated with specific host plants in Central Africa, particularly in Cameroon. Multiple species have been documented as pests of cultivated and wild plants, causing damage through feeding activity. The genus exhibits host specialization, with different species utilizing distinct plant families including Burseraceae and Rutaceae.
Psylla betulaenanae
Psylla betulaenanae is a species of psyllid (jumping plant louse) in the family Psyllidae, described by Ossiannilsson in 1970. It belongs to a genus of phloem-feeding insects associated with woody plants. Like other psyllids, it has piercing-sucking mouthparts adapted for feeding on plant sap. The species epithet suggests an association with birch (Betula), though specific host plant relationships require confirmation from original taxonomic descriptions.
Psylla floccosa
Psylla floccosa is a species of jumping plant louse in the family Psyllidae, first described by Edith Marion Patch in 1909. Like other psyllids, it is a small phloem-feeding insect that uses piercing-sucking mouthparts to extract plant sap. The species is part of the diverse genus Psylla, which contains numerous species associated with various host plants. Specific ecological and biological details for P. floccosa remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.
Psyllaephagus
Psyllaephagus is a large genus of chalcid wasps in the family Encyrtidae, containing approximately 245–246 described species as of 2019, with greatest diversity in Australia (~100 described species, possibly ~1,000 total). The genus was established by William Harris Ashmead in 1900. Most species are primary parasitoids of psylloids (Hemiptera: Psylloidea), with some secondary parasitoids. Three Australian species—P. pilosus, P. bliteus, and P. yaseeni—have been successfully deployed as biological control agents against invasive psylloids in California, Europe, Hawaii, and southeast Asia.
Purshivora
Purshivora is a genus of psyllids (jumping plant lice) in the family Psyllidae, established by Heslop-Harrison in 1961. Members of this genus are small sap-sucking insects associated with host plants. The genus is placed within the suborder Sternorrhyncha, a group of Hemiptera characterized by piercing-sucking mouthparts and often complex plant associations. Specific biological details for Purshivora remain poorly documented in accessible literature.
Purshivora aculeata
Purshivora aculeata is a species of jumping plant louse (psyllid) in the family Psyllidae. As a member of Sternorrhyncha, it possesses piercing-sucking mouthparts adapted for feeding on plant vascular fluids. The genus Purshivora comprises psyllids associated with host plants in the genus Purshia (bitterbrush), suggesting a specialized plant-insect relationship. Limited observational records exist for this species.
Purshivora coryli
Hazelnut psyllid
Purshivora coryli is a psyllid species in the family Psyllidae that feeds on hazelnut (Corylus species). Psyllids, also known as jumping plant lice, are small sap-feeding insects with host-specific relationships to their plant hosts. This species is associated with the genus Corylus in the birch family Betulaceae. The genus Purshivora comprises species specialized on hosts within Betulaceae.
Purshivora nigranervosa
Purshivora nigranervosa is a species of jumping plant louse in the family Psyllidae. The genus Purshivora comprises psyllids associated with plants in the genus Purshia (bitterbrush), suggesting a specialized host relationship. Very few observations of this species exist in scientific databases.
Purshivora pubescens
Purshivora pubescens is a species of psyllid, a group of sap-feeding insects in the family Psyllidae. The genus Purshivora is named in reference to its association with plants in the genus Purshia (bitterbrush), suggesting a specialized host relationship. Like other psyllids, this species likely feeds on phloem sap and may produce honeydew. The species was described by Crawford in 1914.
Rhinocola
Rhinocola is a genus of psyllids (jumping plant lice) in the family Aphalaridae. The genus was established by Förster in 1848. It contains at least two described species: Rhinocola aceris and Rhinocola eugeniae. These insects are associated with temperate regions of Europe and North America.
Rhinocola aceris
Sycamore psyllid
Rhinocola aceris is a psyllid species in the family Aphalaridae, commonly known as the sycamore psyllid. It is associated with sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) and related maple species. The species was originally described by Linnaeus in 1758 as Chermes aceris. Like other psyllids, it feeds on plant sap and can cause gall formation on host leaves.
Spanioneura
Spanioneura is a genus of psyllids (jumping plant-lice) established by Arnold Förster in 1848. Species are primarily European in distribution, though the type species S. fonscolombii has been accidentally introduced to the United States. The genus comprises at least five described species, with S. fonscolombii being the most widely studied due to its economic significance as a pest of boxwood (Buxus species).
Spanioneura buxi
boxwood psyllid
Spanioneura buxi, commonly known as the boxwood psyllid, is a sap-feeding insect in the family Psyllidae that infests boxwood (Buxus species). The species produces distinctive cupped or curled terminal leaves on host plants, caused by nymphal feeding and wax secretion. It has a single generation per year in temperate regions. The insect is considered a minor pest that causes primarily cosmetic damage, with most boxwood plants recovering without permanent injury.
Spanioneura fonscolombii
Spanioneura fonscolombii is a plant-parasitic psyllid specialized on box (Buxus) species. First described from Europe in 1848, it has been accidentally introduced to the United States and represents a pest of ornamental and native boxwoods. The species shows distinctive green coloration with patterned wings and has been documented causing damage to host plants, with some dispute regarding gall formation.
Tamarixia
Tamarixia is a genus of small parasitoid wasps in the family Eulophidae, primarily known as parasitoids of psyllids (jumping plant lice, superfamily Psylloidea). The genus was established by Mercet in 1924 and contains approximately 50 described species distributed worldwide. Most species are ectoparasitoids, though at least one species has been recorded as an endoparasitoid. Several species, particularly T. radiata and T. triozae, are important biological control agents used in integrated pest management programs for citrus and solanaceous crops.
Tetragonocephala flava
Sugarberry Psyllid
Tetragonocephala flava is a psyllid species in the family Aphalaridae, commonly known as the Sugarberry Psyllid. First described by Crawford in 1914, this sap-feeding insect belongs to the order Hemiptera, a group characterized by piercing-sucking mouthparts. The species is part of a genus whose members are typically associated with specific host plants.
Torymus flavicoxa
Torymus flavicoxa is a parasitoid wasp in the family Torymidae, a group known for attacking insects within plant galls. The species has been recorded as a parasite of psyllid nymphs inhabiting hackberry leaf galls. It is distributed across Canada from British Columbia to Ontario.
Trioza
psyllids, jumping plant-lice
Trioza is the type genus of psyllids in the family Triozidae, comprising sap-sucking insects with worldwide distribution. Species in this genus exhibit diverse host associations, ranging from agricultural crops to native trees. Several species are economically significant: Trioza erytreae transmits citrus greening disease (Huanglongbing), T. apicalis is a major pest of carrot in northern Europe, and T. brevigenae is an invasive pest of ornamental Ficus in California. The genus is characterized by distinct morphological features and complex life cycles involving seasonal migration between summer hosts and overwintering sites.
Trioza adventicia
syzygium leaf psyllid, lillypilly psyllid, eugenia psyllid
Trioza adventicia is a sap-sucking hemipteran in the family Triozidae that creates pit galls on leaves of Syzygium paniculatum. Native to eastern subcoastal Australia, this species has been introduced to California, southern Australia, and New Zealand where it affects ornamental plantings. For decades it was misidentified as Trioza eugeniae in scientific literature, horticultural resources, and biological control programs until a 2019 taxonomic revision using morphological and DNA barcoding evidence clarified the distinction. The biological control program in the United States unknowingly targeted the correct species despite the nomenclatural confusion.
Trioza albifrons
Trioza albifrons is a species of psyllid in the family Triozidae, first described by Crawford in 1910. It belongs to a diverse genus of plant-feeding insects commonly known as jumping plant lice or psyllids. Like other members of Triozidae, this species is likely associated with specific host plants, though detailed biological information remains limited in the available literature. The species name 'albifrons' refers to a white or pale frontal region of the head, a common diagnostic feature in psyllid taxonomy.
Trioza brevigenae
Ficus leaf-rolling psyllid
Trioza brevigenae, known as the ficus leaf-rolling psyllid, is an invasive pest of Ficus microcarpa (Chinese banyan or Indian laurel fig) native to India. It was first detected in California in 2016, representing the first known occurrence outside its native range. The species causes characteristic leaf-roll galls on host foliage, with nymphs developing inside these protected structures. Its invasion pathway and full geographic distribution remain under investigation.
Trioza magnoliae
Red Bay Psyllid
Trioza magnoliae, commonly known as the Red Bay Psyllid, is a gall-forming psyllid native to eastern North America. This species induces characteristic galls on the leaves of native Persea bay trees, particularly red bay (Persea borbonia) and related species. The insect has a wide distribution across the eastern and central United States. While primarily an ecological curiosity due to its gall-forming habit, it has gained attention in relation to the decline of red bay populations caused by the invasive laurel wilt disease, as the psyllid's host trees face significant mortality.
Trioza obtusa
Trioza obtusa is a species of psyllid (jumping plant louse) in the family Triozidae, described by Patch in 1911. It belongs to a genus known for species that feed on various host plants and often induce gall formation. The species is documented in multiple North American distribution records but specific biological details remain limited in available literature.
Trioza phoradendri
Trioza phoradendri is a psyllid species in the family Triozidae, described by Tuthill in 1939. It is currently recognized as a synonym of Trioza phorodendrae. The species belongs to the diverse genus Trioza, which includes numerous psyllids associated with various host plants. Information on its biology, ecology, and distribution remains limited in the available literature.