Jumping plant louse (Psyllid) for identification

[Bruce Williams]

Northants garden. On ivy.

Am I right in thinking that the short, blunt abdomen means that this is a male? Help with identification appreciated.



Bruce

[Jason Green]

Hi Bruce,

Ha! Found a very similar one myself, today - except it had more white down the sides. It was ID'd by Joe as Trioza urticae, and yours may be too - or at least in the same Triozidae family!

Take care,

Jason

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks for your interest and suggestion Jason. Psyllids are one of my favourite subjects - they are so anatomically complex and colourful for such a tiny creature!

Bruce

[Acutipuerilis]

Spot on with the family, Jason - this is a Trioza species for sure (I think I've ruled out all the related Bactericera on wing venation). My hunch is that it's a very variable species called galii (form typica - spinule-free wings). However, there's an outside chance it's remota (common, but not usually brown, and the wing spinules should be visible). As with all these, I'd have to check the genitalia to be absolutely happy - but the parameres do look right for galii, from what I can see (it is indeed a male!).

Nice find - if it is galii, I've not seen one yet. If you see an unusual-looking psyllid and want a proper ID, please feel free to collect it, and post it to me for dissection. I'm also trying to build up a reference collection of these, so it would be very handy for me, as well as giving me more practice.

[Bruce Williams]

Joe - Thanks with your help with suggested id and confirmation of gender. Your expertise much appreciated as always.

Bruce