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Citrus Pest Quick Guide: Asian Citrus Psyllid

Lauren M. Diepenbrock and Jamie D. Burrow

Life Cycle

Eggs are almond shaped, about 0.3 mm long, pale yellow to dark orange, and found on new, unexpanded leaf flush. Three to four days are required for egg hatch in warmer temperatures (75°F–85°F/24°C–29°C) and slightly longer under cooler temperatures.

Nymphs are yellow with red eyes and large wing pads and 0.3–1.6 mm long. There are 5 nymphal stages, which require 12–14 days to complete. Nymphs generally have white waxy tubules attached to their anus; these tubules contain unused sugars from feeding on flush. Nymphs are found on new flush and have a slow, steady movement when disturbed.

Adults are 3–4 mm long and can be found mostly on new flush but also on mature leaves, especially outside the flushing season. Wings are mottled light grey with brown margins. Adults live for 30 to 50 days under ideal temperatures during which time females can lay between 500–800 eggs. Adult longevity increases in cooler temperatures. The adults stand at a 30°–45° angle and are easily disturbed. They can fly on their own or be carried by the wind.

Figure 1. Asian citrus psyllid eggs.
Figure 1.  Asian citrus psyllid eggs.
Credit: M. E. Rogers, UF/IFAS

 

Figure 2. Close up of Asian citrus psyllid nymphs.
Figure 2.  Close up of Asian citrus psyllid nymphs.
Credit: M. E. Rogers, UF/IFAS

 

Figure 3. Asian citrus psyllid nymphs with waxy tubules.
Figure 3.  Asian citrus psyllid nymphs with waxy tubules.
Credit: M. E. Rogers, UF/IFAS

 

Figure 4. Adult Asian citrus psyllid.
Figure 4.  Adult Asian citrus psyllid.
Credit: M. E. Rogers, UF/IFAS

 

Damage

Asian citrus psyllids feeding on newly formed leaves can cause young leaves to be aborted or deformed in the form of twisting and curling. However, the major hazard is that psyllids serve as the vector of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, the causal agent of citrus greening (Huanglongbing; HLB). Psyllids acquire the bacteria while feeding on infected host plants and then transmit the bacteria to other trees. It takes an hour or more of feeding for the psyllid to acquire the bacteria.

Figure 5. Adult Asian citrus psyllids feeding on upper and lower leaf surface.
Figure 5.  Adult Asian citrus psyllids feeding on upper and lower leaf surface.
Credit: M. E. Rogers, UF/IFAS

 

Figure 6. Twisting and curling damage from psyllid feeding on leaf.
Figure 6.  Twisting and curling damage from psyllid feeding on leaf.
Credit: M. E. Rogers, UF/IFAS
Peer Reviewed

Publication #ENY-1004

Release Date:April 9, 2020

Reviewed At:November 28, 2023

Related Experts

Diepenbrock, Lauren M.

Specialist/SSA/RSA

University of Florida

Burrow, Jamie D.

staff

University of Florida

Related Collections

Part of Citrus Pest Quick Guides series

Fact Sheet

About this Publication

This document is ENY-1004, one of a series of the Entomology and Nematology Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date December 2019. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

About the Authors

Lauren M. Diepenbrock, assistant professor, Entomology and Nematology Department; and Jamie D. Burrow, Extension program manager; UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center, Lake Alfred, FL 33850.

Contacts

  • Lauren Diepenbrock