Bug Identifier
Jumping Plant Louse / Psyllid
Community identification

Jumping Plant Louse / Psyllid

Family Psyllidae

Order & Family
Hemiptera: Psyllidae
Size
1 - 5 mm in length
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found on host plants, crops, trees, and ornamental foliage in gardens, orchards, and agricultural fields worldwide.

Diet & Feeding

Phloem sap extracted from leaves, stems, and buds of specific plant species using piercing-sucking mouthparts.

Behavior Patterns

Nymphs often produce white, waxy secretions or honeydew and remain stationary while feeding. Adults are capable of jumping or flying short distances when disturbed.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: They can cause leaf curling, yellowing, and stunted growth in host plants. Some species vector plant diseases, such as citrus greening. Benefits: They serve as a food source for predatory insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps.