The redgum lerp psyllid, Glycaspis brimblecombei was unintentionally introduced into Los Angeles in 1998 and now occurs on plant hosts throughout California. This aphidlike insect (family Aphalaridae, formerly in Psyllidae) sucks phloem sap and excretes large amounts of sticky honeydew.
Psyllid adults and nymphs feed by sucking phloem sap through their strawlike mouthparts. Nymphs cause most of the feeding damage. Infested trees drop leaves prematurely when redgum lerp psyllids are abundant. Extensive defoliation from psyllid feeding weakens trees and can increase tree susceptibility to damage from other insect pests and abiotic and pathogenic diseases.
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