Sooty-mould

Guides

• Homotomidae

  fig psyllids, mulberry psyllids

  Homotomidae is a family of small phloem-feeding insects in the superfamily Psylloidea, commonly known as fig or mulberry psyllids. Members feed almost exclusively on Moraceae, primarily the genus Ficus, with rare exceptions such as Triozamia on Antiaris toxicaria. The family contains approximately 70 described species across three subfamilies: Dynopsyllinae, Macrohomotominae, and Homotominae. Several species are economically significant pests of ornamental and cultivated figs, including the invasive Macrohomotoma gladiata, which has spread from Asia to Europe, North Africa, and North America.

  phloem-feedingMoraceaeFicusinvasive-pesturban-pestornamental-pestbiological-controlPsylloideawax-secretionhoneydewsooty-mould

• 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