Psyllid - Craspedolepta

Moved

… Chris Mallory, 3 June, 2022 - 10:17pm

Moved

… Chris Mallory, 1 September, 2016 - 10:43pm

Craspedolepta sp.

Cacopsylla spp. have prominent genal cones and pterostigma, while in Craspedolepta spp. these characters are absent. Craspedolepta also tends to have a more rectangular cubital cell, shorter antennae, a well developed meracanthus (visible in third pic), and distinct male genitalia (yours is female). It is related most closely to Aphalara, which is never green and has an elongate clypeus.

Most species in this genus feed on Asteraceae, and it is the second largest psyllid genus behind Cacopsylla. Examination of a male would be necessary for a species level ID.

… Chris Mallory, 1 September, 2016 - 10:42pm

Thanks for the detailed info

If I catch a male what would you need to see?

… John Rosenfeld, 2 September, 2016 - 7:49am

a straight lateral angle showing the shapes and relative sizes of the proctiger, forceps, and subgenital plate would be most useful. The closer to a straight lateral view the better, as the shapes of things can become somewhat distorted when viewed at an angle, and the differences between many of the species are slight.

If you intend to look for more, this one looks typical of a complex of about 10 species in the northeast that tend to feed on goldenrods (Solidago). If there is any Solidago in the area where you collected this one, it might be a good place to look for others. There is a possibility that multiple species may be found on the same plant.

… Chris Mallory, 2 September, 2016 - 3:32pm

I found this one in a field of mostly goldenrod

I will keep an eye out for them. I don't seem to find many Psyllids, not sure if they are uncommon or hiding in places that my net can't reach.

… John Rosenfeld, 2 September, 2016 - 3:46pm

pretty uncommon

even on suitable hosts their presence can be pretty hit-or-miss, and when they are present they're often not found in great numbers. Some species are most easily detected by the damage they cause to leaves or by the waxy secretions of the nymphs, but I don't believe these ones cause any such visible signs.

… Chris Mallory, 2 September, 2016 - 4:01pm