Diaphorina citri
| Diaphorina citri | |
|---|---|
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| Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hemiptera |
| Suborder: | Sternorrhyncha |
| Superfamily: | Psylloidea |
| Family: | Psyllidae |
| Genus: | Diaphorina |
| Species: | D. citri |
| Binomial name | |
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Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, 1908 |
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The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, is a sap-sucking, hemipteran bug in the family Psyllidae. It is an important pest of citrus, as it is one of only two confirmed vectors of the serious citrus greening disease. It is widely distributed in southern Asia and has spread to other citrus growing regions.
The Asian citrus psyllid originated in Asia but it is now also found in parts of the Middle East, South and Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. In the United States, this psyllid was first detected in Florida in 1998 and is now also found in Louisiana, Georgia, Arizona, South Carolina, and Texas . In Southern California, the San Joaquin Valley, and Central Coast counties, such as San Luis Obispo an eradication program has been instituted in an attempt to prevent it from becoming established. In the whole of the United States and its territories, areas where this psyllid are found are under quarantine restrictions.
The adult psyllid is about four millimetres long with a fawn and brown mottled body and a light brown head. It is covered with a whitish, waxy secretion which makes it look dusty. The forewings are broadest at the back and have a dark edging around the periphery with a pale gap near the apex. The antennae are pale brown with black tips. These features distinguish it from the superficially similar African citrus psyllid. It typically adopts a head down, tail up posture as it sucks sap. Aphids are often also present on citrus and psyllids can be distinguished from them by being more active, jumping insects, whereas aphids are sedentary. In addition, the antennae of a psyllid has ten segments whereas those of aphids usually have four or six segments. Most aphids have cornicles on the abdomen and psyllids lack these.
The psyllid nymph moults five times. It is a yellowish-orange colour and has no abdominal spots. The wing pads are prominent, especially in the later instars.
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Wikipedia