Jumping Plant Louse
Trichochermes walkeri
This record describes Trichochermes walkeri (species). Recorded family: Triozidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
The Jumping Plant Louse, Trichochermes walkeri , causes the leaf margin to curl and a gall to be formed on the leaves of Buckthorn. The gall is more likely to be seen than the adult plant louse. Not scarce but rather local and limited by the range of the host plant Purging Buckthorn in Britain.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Any area where Buckthorn is present.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Not scarce but rather local and limited by the range of the host plant Purging Buckthorn in Britain.
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Trichochermes walkeri. 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.
