Psylla buxi
This record describes Psylla buxi (species). Recorded family: Psyllidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
The psyllid causes galls to form on the shoot tips of Box. The galls take the form of pale, cabbage like clusters, the bunched leaves being strongly concave and slightly thickened. During the summer they conceal numerous tiny pale green nymphs covered with white wax. The adult psyllids are green with an orange tip to the abdomen, and have a dark collar; the wings are yellowish and unmarked. Spanioneura fonscolombii is also present on Box, but does not cause galls; the forewings are marked with 4 black dots at the apices of the cells Photograph the gall on the host plant. If recording the adult or nymph, state host plant and provide good quality photographs Adults mature in late summer and lay overwintering eggs Widespread in the UK, and locally common (ref.: British Bugs website; link below) https://www.britishbugs.org.uk/homoptera/Psylloidea/Psylla_buxi.html https://bladmineerders.nl/parasites/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/hemiptera/sternorrhyncha/psylloidea/psyllidae/psyllinae/psylla/psylla-buxi/
Wikipedia reference for Psylla buxi: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psylla_buxi.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Where Box, the host plant, is present.
Seasonal Activity
Adults mature in late summer and lay overwintering eggs
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread in the UK, and locally common (ref.: British Bugs website; link below)
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Psylla buxi. 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 Psylla buxi (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Psylla buxi
What is Psylla buxi?
Psylla buxi is a species in the family Psyllidae, within the order Hemiptera.
Where is Psylla buxi found?
Habitat: Where Box, the host plant, is present.
When is Psylla buxi active?
Psylla buxi: seasonal activity - Adults mature in late summer and lay overwintering eggs.