African citrus psyllid Have you seen this citrus pest? Biosecurity Queensland

What is an African citrus psyllid? Nymphs

Like the Asiatic citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri • Nymphs are tiny (0.3–1.6 mm long). There are five Kuwayama), the African citrus psyllid (Trioza erytreae nymphal instars. del Guercio) is a sap-sucking insect that can transmit • Colour varies from yellow, olive-green to dark grey. the lethal citrus disease, huanglongbing—also known • Nymphs are flat with a distinct marginal fringe of as ‘citrus greening’. white, waxy filaments. • On their fifth instar, two pale brown spots appear on While the insect itself is a minor citrus pest,

epartmentof Employment,Development Economic Innovation and the abdomen.

D huanglongbing is a serious threat to citrus-producing areas worldwide. The African citrus psyllid, Asiatic citrus • They are mainly found on new flushing citrus growth. psyllid and huanglongbing are not known to occur in • The nymphs are largely sedentary (don’t move much) Australia. and can form noticeable colonies on the underside of new leaves, sometimes moving to the upper leaf surface if populations are high and overcrowded. What does African citrus psyllid look like? 4 mm Adults

• Adults are small, about 4 mm long. Males are smaller than females. • The abdomen is brown-grey, lighter underneath; the head is black. • Male’s have an abdomen that ends in a blunt tip; the female’s abdomen ends in a sharp point. • The forewings are large and transparent with clearly defined veins. Distinctive feeding posture of an adult African citrus psyllid • Adults have a distinctive feeding posture, with the Photo courtesy of P. Stephens, Citrus Research International head down, almost touching the plant surface, and the body lifted at 35˚.

Tomorrow’s Queensland: strong, green, smart, healthy and fair 2 African citrus psyllid Photo courtesy of P. Stephens, Citrus Research International International Research Citrus P. Stephens, of courtesy Photo Eggs International Research Citrus P. Stephens, of courtesy Photo Psylla egg egg Psylla Fifth instar nymph and egg egg and nymph instar Fifth • • •

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can African ) and small knobwood ( ) and small knobwood psyllids ), orange-climber or forest-pepper ( forest-pepper or ), orange-climber can also Murraya Murraya ), lime berry ( ), lime berry

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3 African citrus psyllid distance short- these for wind-assisted be can dispersal distance Short- psyllids. with infested material plant of movement via occurs commonly most spread Long-distance How citrus does African psyllid spread? Mauritius Yemen; occurs weather. It dry hot, of to extremes sensitive is very It cooler, climates. moist prefers psyllid citrus African The Where citrus does African psyllid occur? International Research Citrus P. Stephens, of courtesy Photo of Gomera. Gomera. pit-galling, leaf distortion and yellowing of affected foliage foliage affected of yellowing and distortion leaf pit-galling, includes nymphs psyllid citrus African by caused damage Leaf

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