Psyllid is now in NZ

Medbury Gardens · July 15, 2011

It arrived in New Zealand in 2006 and has taken 5 years to reach my island (South Island),i havnt noticed the bug yet but a friend of mine who gardens 30km east of me has it.

What i know about this pest insect in the US is its on the western seaboard and has spread as far north as Oregon but is contained to the west by Mississippi river.

Anyone know a lot about this pest or even has it within there area?

ContainerTed · July 15, 2011

Here's a posting I found with a Bing search .

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Psyllid Control

Description: There are over 100 species of psyllids found throughout North America. Sometimes called jumping plant lice, these pests feed on a variety of plants, including most fruit trees and small fruits, as well as tomato and potato. Both adults and nymphs feed by piercing the leaf surface and extracting cell sap. This causes foliage (especially the upper leaves) to turn yellow, curl, and eventually die. Honeydew secreted by the psyllids encourages the growth of dark sooty molds. Many species transmit disease-carrying viruses.

Adults (1/10 inch long) are reddish brown in color with transparent wings and strong jumping legs. They are very active and will hop or fly away when disturbed. Nymphs are flat and elliptical in shape, almost scale-like. They are less active than adults and are most numerous on the undersides of leaves. Newly hatched nymphs are yellowish in color but turn green as they mature.

Note: Psyllids are monophagous, which means that they are host specific (each species feeds on only one plant type).

Life Cycle: Adults overwinter in crevices on tree trunks. In early spring they mate and females begin depositing orange-yellow eggs in the crevices about the buds, and after the foliage is out, on the leaves. Hatching occurs in 4-15 days. Yellow to green nymphs pass through five in instars in 2-3 weeks before reaching the adult stage. There are one to five generations per year depending on species.

Psyllid Control: Spray horticultural oil in early spring to destroy overwintering adults and eggs. Beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewing, are important natural predators of this pest. For best results, make releases when pest levels are low to medium. If populations are high, use a least-toxic, short-lived natural pesticide to establish control, then release predatory insects to maintain control. Insecticidal soap contains potassium salts of fatty acids, which penetrates and damages the outer shells of soft-bodied insect pests, causing dehydration and death within hours. If pest levels become intolerable, spot treat with botanical insecticides every 5-7 days. Thorough coverage of both upper and lower infested leaves is necessary for effective control.

Tip: Do not over water or overfertilize - sucking insects like plants with high nitrogen levels and soft new growth.

================================================== ==

Hope this helps

Medbury Gardens · July 16, 2011

Thanks for that info Ted

A few points of interest there,they are monophagous which is why i posted this topic here as this particular type is potato and tomato specific as well as one or two veggies types also.

It says ladybugs and lacewing are natural predators which for me is good news as i have reasonably high levels of each as well as good numbers of parasitic wasps which all have helped maintaining a largely pest free garden environment. ..till now.

This i find interesting - Tip , Do not over water or overfertilize- sucking insects like plants with high nitrogen levels and soft new growth. ive been told that maintaining high Brix levels will provide better defense against psyllid,but i wonder if high sugars(Brix)and high nitrogen have some what of a connection?

July 15, 2011	#1
Medbury Gardens Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Medbury, New Zealand Posts: 1,881	Psyllid is now in NZ It arrived in New Zealand in 2006 and has taken 5 years to reach my island (South Island),i havnt noticed the bug yet but a friend of mine who gardens 30km east of me has it. What i know about this pest insect in the US is its on the western seaboard and has spread as far north as Oregon but is contained to the west by Mississippi river. Anyone know a lot about this pest or even has it within there area?

July 15, 2011	#2
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	Here's a posting I found with a Bing search . ======================================== Psyllid Control Description: There are over 100 species of psyllids found throughout North America. Sometimes called jumping plant lice, these pests feed on a variety of plants, including most fruit trees and small fruits, as well as tomato and potato. Both adults and nymphs feed by piercing the leaf surface and extracting cell sap. This causes foliage (especially the upper leaves) to turn yellow, curl, and eventually die. Honeydew secreted by the psyllids encourages the growth of dark sooty molds. Many species transmit disease-carrying viruses. Adults (1/10 inch long) are reddish brown in color with transparent wings and strong jumping legs. They are very active and will hop or fly away when disturbed. Nymphs are flat and elliptical in shape, almost scale-like. They are less active than adults and are most numerous on the undersides of leaves. Newly hatched nymphs are yellowish in color but turn green as they mature. Note: Psyllids are monophagous, which means that they are host specific (each species feeds on only one plant type). Life Cycle: Adults overwinter in crevices on tree trunks. In early spring they mate and females begin depositing orange-yellow eggs in the crevices about the buds, and after the foliage is out, on the leaves. Hatching occurs in 4-15 days. Yellow to green nymphs pass through five in instars in 2-3 weeks before reaching the adult stage. There are one to five generations per year depending on species. Psyllid Control: Spray horticultural oil in early spring to destroy overwintering adults and eggs. Beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewing, are important natural predators of this pest. For best results, make releases when pest levels are low to medium. If populations are high, use a least-toxic, short-lived natural pesticide to establish control, then release predatory insects to maintain control. Insecticidal soap contains potassium salts of fatty acids, which penetrates and damages the outer shells of soft-bodied insect pests, causing dehydration and death within hours. If pest levels become intolerable, spot treat with botanical insecticides every 5-7 days. Thorough coverage of both upper and lower infested leaves is necessary for effective control. Tip: Do not over water or overfertilize - sucking insects like plants with high nitrogen levels and soft new growth. ================================================== == Hope this helps __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch

July 16, 2011	#3
Medbury Gardens Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Medbury, New Zealand Posts: 1,881	Thanks for that info Ted A few points of interest there,they are monophagous which is why i posted this topic here as this particular type is potato and tomato specific as well as one or two veggies types also. It says ladybugs and lacewing are natural predators which for me is good news as i have reasonably high levels of each as well as good numbers of parasitic wasps which all have helped maintaining a largely pest free garden environment. ..till now. This i find interesting - Tip , Do not over water or overfertilize- sucking insects like plants with high nitrogen levels and soft new growth. ive been told that maintaining high Brix levels will provide better defense against psyllid,but i wonder if high sugars(Brix)and high nitrogen have some what of a connection?