Baccharis psyllid - Calinda fumipennis

Moved

Moved from Calinda.

… Chris Mallory, 7 May, 2016 - 9:12pm

tentatively C. fumipennis

Five US species:
C. proximata, known only from AZ, does not have the ventral hump of the subgenital plate particularly pronounced
C. longicaudata, known from AZ-TX, is also as above
C. collaris, a most widespread sw species, has female genitalia with much shorter apical process in relation to the base
C. longistylus, another widespread species, has a more pronounced ventral hump and has the wing membrane surrounding the veins slightly embrowned but otherwise transparent. Jillian Cowles's psyllid from AZ is this species:

C. fumipennis has genitalia most similar to longistylus, though differs in having pale yellowish wings compared to the transparent wings of all the other species. The wing shape and venation is also slightly different. This species is known only from CA, from the Channel Islands north to Alameda county. Gary's psyllid is definitely this species, the pale yellow wings prominent against the white background

Against the yellow body and green leaf background, it's difficult to say if your psyllid has yellowish wings or not. Taking the image into photoshop and analyzing the color value of the wing against white secretion, it would appear that the wings are slightly embrowned. The genitalia are also identical to that of Gary's psyllid, and found on the same plant, leading me to believe that it is this species. But if this character is assumed to be false, then this specimen keys to Calinda graciliforceps, known only from Hidalgo, Mexico. In many ways that species is actually a rather close match, but I am unwilling to assume it is a new USA record without seeing more material. It's also possible that your psyllid has lighter wings because it was found in April and is thus younger. I have been unable to find any Calinda yet on B. pilularis in Los Angeles and Orange counties. The nymphs induce galls on the flowerheads and shoots.

… Chris Mallory, 7 May, 2016 - 8:48pm

I don't remember seeing any galls. I'll go back through my images when I get home and see if I have any others. My flash often gives things a gold cast which I color correct for, so it's also possible I went too far. I'll look at the original for that too.

… Alice Abela, 7 May, 2016 - 10:40pm

Galls

To clarify, the nymphs of this species in particular have not been recorded. The known nymphs of all other members of the genus are gall inducers though, and it's assumed that this one is as well. Unfortunately, I don't have a description handy of what exactly a Calinda gall looks like. In my experience Baccharis is often covered with galls, but most of these are from flies, moths, or mites, and these usually on the stems and leaves as opposed to the flower heads and shoots.

… Chris Mallory, 8 May, 2016 - 12:50am

Moved

Moved from Psylloidea.

… Chris Mallory, 26 June, 2015 - 4:00am

Bactericera?

Looks similar to

… Alice Abela, 26 June, 2015 - 2:47am

Definitely the same as Gary's

Though upon seeing your pic I am now convinced they both belong in Calinda. The ventral hump on the genital segment preceeding the long dark styliform ovipositor, the venation, the color, and the Baccharis host is all indicative of that genus.

… Chris Mallory, 26 June, 2015 - 4:00am