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Psyllids emerging

Schedotrioza sp.

Photo by MartinL
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

This damp spring morning the psyllid larvae were emerging from their gall prisons that were opening their walls like flower petals. The nymphs transformed into winged adults to complete their lifecycle, free at last.

Habitat:

These ugly warty galls cover every leaf of (only) this large eucalyptus in a suburban park.

Notes:

Psyllids are soft bugs and suck sap from plants. Most either induce the plant to grow a protective gall or cover themselves with a waxy or sugary shell (lerp). Others are completely mobile. Here's another species http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/11475006

Psyllids can be identified by their singing http://www.psyllids.org/SchedotriozaSOUND.htm

http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/forestry/forestry_publications_index/forest_he…

Reference Links:

Pacific psyllids

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (16)
MartinL
Thanks Jemma. This is one of my favorite spottings.
ShannaB
Martin, I just had a look at that link re the frogs - unbelievable!!!!!!!!!
MartinL
Thanks arlanda. I seldom see adults of these soft bugs (that cause lerps and galls) but they seem to be all out at the moment, early spring. http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/14521216 http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/8808060
MartinL
Thank you Leuba. I think these larvae produce a chemical to soften and open their chambers and synchronize their emergence. @Argy Bee, if this is an eruption then its like larvae lava =)
MartinL
Thank you Yasser for your kind comments. It's way more inspiring to share wildlife observations with interested people than 'bugging' the family all the time. =)
Leuba Ridgway
Congratulations on your 500th spotting Martin ! and all great quality too... love this spotting. Pic #1 looks like bread& butter pudding !
Yasser
Incredible series Martin! What a way to celebrate your 500th spotting. Congratulations and thanks for all the fantastic contributions. We're lucky to have you as part of the community!
MartinL
Thanks Argybee Thanks Nuwan
Mark Ridgway
Congrats on 500 martin!! That's quite a spectacular eruption.
MartinL
Thanks leanne and shanna. Its good to get the whole lifecycle identified. shanna, it makes me think of the frog that broods its young in its skin. http://planet.uwc.ac.za/nisl/biodiversity/loe/page_105.htm
ShannaB
Awesome. Looks like something out of a horror movie.

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PublishedSeptember 20, 2012

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