ID needed for unknown psyllid

GrayB · #1 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 03:14 PM

Hi Everyone,
Can anybody help me with the correct ID for this psyllid?
Thanks
Gray

asheleaf · #2 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 06:08 PM

it looks like Psylla sorbi. I'm not saying thats what it is, just that it looks like it!

Ashe

Acutipuerilis · #3 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 06:42 PM

This is tricky, because I can't see the wing patterning due to the dark background... It certainly seems to be Cacopsylla sp., but those without a definite wing pattern are often very hard without a microscope. What plant was it on? And size? If you don't have any other photos, can you remember whether there were definite dark spots on the wing, or just a dark shading; if the latter, how far did it extend?

Joe

GrayB · #4 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 07:40 PM

Thanks Ashe, Joe,
I hope this is the same psyllid, it's hard to know when you know nothing about them but this shot has a lighter background so it may help.
I spotted alot of these today along with a much greener species they seemed to be everywhere, on Lupin and Cornflower and many airborn.
Do they moult? I took a poor shot of one from behind and it seemed to be pulling an old skin.
Thanks again.
Gray

GrayB · #5 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 07:44 PM

Joe,
Sorry i forgot to mention it's size, it was around 4-5 mm.
Gray

Acutipuerilis · #6 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 08:40 PM

Thanks for that one, Gray - much more useful. However... I still can't get an ID for this. I suspect it's a recent immigrant, since it keys out reasonably well to a group of species with totally different body colouring. Will chase it up with someone who ought to know, as I'd really like to know what this is myself.

Psyllids generally are a very poorly-known group, and there's currently no recording scheme. Several incoming UK species have been recorded in recent years, and this may well be one of them.