Identification and Control Methods of the Chinese Parasol Tree Psyllid

Morphology: Adult body length 5.6 to 6.9 mm, yellow-green; head broad horizontally, vertex deeply cleft, frons exposed; compound eyes hemispherical and protruding, brown; antennae yellow; wings colorless and transparent, veins tea-yellow; claws black; dorsum of abdomen pale yellow, with a brown band along the anterior margin of each segment. Egg spindle-shaped, length 0.5 to 0.8 mm, slightly transparent, pale yellow or yellow-brown when newly laid, pale reddish-brown before hatching. Newly hatched nymph rectangular, tea-yellow tinged with green, wing pads slightly visible; mature nymph long oval, length 3.0 to 5.0 mm, darker in color, wing pads clearly visible.

Occurrence pattern: 2 to 3 generations per year, overwintering as eggs in bark crevices. The 1st generation nymphs appear from late April to early May, secreting waxy filaments and sticky fluid that foul visitors' clothing and the ground. Nymphs have 3 instars, lasting 30 days. The 1st generation adults begin to appear in early June. Mid-June is the peak emergence period; the 2nd generation pests begin to appear in late June; mid-July is the peak activity period; a large number of 2nd generation adults emerge in mid-August; the 3rd generation nymphs cause damage in early September; generation overlap is severe; and in late October adults gradually lay eggs to overwinter.

Control methods: Control should be carried out when nymphs have just hatched and when adults are at peak emergence.

1. Trunk injection of organophosphorus pesticides, such as omethoate, monocrotophos, and phoxim.

2. Spray 1000-fold dilution of pirimicarb-imidacloprid; 2000-fold dilution of imidacloprid.

3. Protect natural enemies such as parasitic wasps and green lacewings.