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Background
The red gum
lerp psyllid was discovered in 1998 in Los
Angeles County. Psyllids are native to Australia, like the eucalyptus. Psyllids
also produce a sticky substance called honeydew, which drops to the ground
on cars and sidewalks.
Actions
This insect pest of eucalyptus currently has spread
throughout most regions of California. Plant sap is sucked out of the
leaves causing damage that may result in branch dieback or death of the tree
when heavily infested. These small insects protect themselves by forming a
lerp, a cap-like structure secreted by the psyllid after ingesting
honeydew. Biological control is being implemented throughout California for
this lerp psyllid. The pest has been recorded on 27 species of eucalyptus
in California, but only does damage to a few of the red gum species.
Below
are useful links for additional information from the Center for Biological Control at University of California, Berkeley:
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