Biology of the invasive shell lerp psyllid, Spondyliaspis cf. plicatuloides (Froggatt) (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae)

Abstract

Spondyliaspis cf. plicatuloides (Froggatt) (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae), a shell lerp psyllid, is native to Australia but was first detected in South Africa during 2014. The insect feeds on the sap of eucalypt species and thus has the potential to become a pest in commercial Eucalyptus plantations. Information pertaining to the basic biology of this psyllid, which is important in fundamental studies of insect pests, is lacking. To investigate the biology of S. plicatuloides, the psyllid was reared under controlled glasshouse conditions on potted red-flowering gum, Corymbiaficifolia (F Muell.) KD Hill and LAS Johnson (syn. Eucalyptus ficifolia). The egg incubation period, number of nymphal instars and their developmental time, adult fecundity, adult longevity and duration of the life cycle were determined. The major diagnostic features used to differentiate nymphal instars included the number of antennal segments, wing pad development and body length. Females reached reproductive maturity 2.3 ± 0.47 days after eclosion and laid 16.2 ± 3.9 eggs on average. Reproduction was found to be sexual. The first nymphal instar took 10.7 ± 1.2 days to hatch from the egg. The nymphal instars completed their development in 22.6 ± 1.4 days under the brown scalloped shelters they secrete. The insect’s total life cycle lasted 37.37 ± 1.17 days from egg to adult death. Male and female lifespans are also reported. The study provides the first information on the basic biology of S. cf.plicatuloides that will be useful for future studies on surveillance and management strategies.