Spotted Gum Lerp Psyllid
Eucalyptolyma maideni
This record describes Eucalyptolyma maideni (species). Recorded family: Aphalaridae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
The nymph lives under the lerp, a protective shell of gelatinous honeydew. --Dennis Haines, 28.ii.2009
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)
- Suborder
- Sternorrhyncha
- Superfamily
- Psylloidea
- Family
- Aphalaridae
- Subfamily
- Spondyliaspidinae
- Genus
- Eucalyptolyma
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
native to Australia, now widely established in so. California
Diet and Behavior
Diet: hosts: Corymbia (trees formerly treated in Eucalyptus ), such as the Lemon Gum ( C. citriodora ) and Spotted Gum ( C. maculata ) widely planted as ornamentals in California
Life History
The nymph puts together globs of honeydew to make a protective cover called a lerp. It's not permanently attached and can move around if it needs to, sometimes using and expanding lerps abandoned by others. Both nymphs and adults seem to prefer feeding near others or their species. The adult males stridulate ("sing") to attract females. Depending on the weather, there can be more than one generation per year.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Eucalyptolyma maideni Froggatt 1901
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Eucalyptolyma maideni. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hemiptera (true bugs) includes over 80,000 described species across cicadas, aphids, leafhoppers, shield bugs, and bed bugs. Aphids alone cost global agriculture an estimated $2.5 billion annually in crop losses.
Ecological role of the group
Many Hemiptera are essential food sources for birds and predatory insects. Cicadas provide massive nutrient pulses during emergence events - a single Brood X emergence can involve trillions of individuals across 15 states.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) caused $37 million in apple crop losses in a single year in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region. Bed bug infestations in the U.S. increased by 500% between 2001-2010, costing the hotel industry hundreds of millions annually.
Recorded sources for this group: USDA, EPA, University research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Spotted Gum Lerp Psyllid (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Spotted Gum Lerp Psyllid
What is Spotted Gum Lerp Psyllid?
Spotted Gum Lerp Psyllid (Eucalyptolyma maideni) is a species in the family Aphalaridae, within the order Hemiptera.
Where is Spotted Gum Lerp Psyllid found?
Range: native to Australia, now widely established in so. California
What does Spotted Gum Lerp Psyllid eat?
The diet of the Spotted Gum Lerp Psyllid includes hosts: Corymbia (trees formerly treated in Eucalyptus ), such as the Lemon Gum ( C. citriodora ) and Spotted Gum ( C. maculata ) widely planted as ornamentals in California.
What is the life cycle of a Spotted Gum Lerp Psyllid?
The nymph puts together globs of honeydew to make a protective cover called a lerp. It's not permanently attached and can move around if it needs to, sometimes using and expanding lerps abandoned by others. Both nymphs and adults seem to prefer feeding near others or their species. The adult males stridulate (sing) to attract females. Depending on the weather, there can be more than one generation per year.