Kauaʻi record · KCA-IA-00153
Eucalypt Shoot Psyllid
Blastopsylla occidentalis
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About Eucalypt Shoot Psyllid
Eucalypt Shoot Psyllid (Blastopsylla occidentalis) is a member of Aphalaridae in the order Hemiptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced.
Blastopsylla occidentalis is an introduced eucalyptus-feeding psyllid documented from Kauaʻi. It feeds on young Eucalyptus growth, and published host lists include several commonly planted Eucalyptus species.
Kauaʻi occurrence evidence: Matsunaga, Howarth & Kumashiro (2019) Table 1 includes Kauaʻi island code 'Ka'; first-detection year shown as 1993; reported island distribution: Ka.
The cited occurrence evidence does not by itself establish current abundance or population trend on Kauaʻi.
Life cycle
Egg, several sap-feeding nymphal instars, winged adult. Detailed species-level developmental timing is poorly documented in public literature.
Habitat
Eucalyptus foliage and young shoots in planted landscapes, forestry settings, and other sites containing host trees.
Food and ecological role
Plant sap from Eucalyptus; major hosts documented globally include E. camaldulensis, E. globulus, E. gomphocephala, E. microtheca and others.
Reproduction
Oviparous psyllid on Eucalyptus; exact Kauaʻi generation timing is unresolved.
Movement
Adults fly locally; infested nursery stock can move the species between sites.
Ecosystem role
Introduced eucalyptus herbivore.
Threats and impacts
Can damage Eucalyptus shoots and foliage; severity on Kauaʻi has not been quantified in the sources used here.
Monitoring
Record host Eucalyptus species, shoot symptoms, nymph abundance and parasitoids; retain voucher confirmation for new host records.
Names and classification
- Scientific name
- Blastopsylla occidentalis
- Common names
- Eucalypt Shoot Psyllid
- Family
- Aphalaridae
- Order
- Hemiptera
- Record type
- species
Kauaʻi occurrence and status
- Kauaʻi occurrence
- Present
- Origin
- Introduced
- Conservation status
- Not assessed
Process and seasonal context
- Seasonal description
- Eucalypt Shoot Psyllid (Blastopsylla occidentalis) is a member of Aphalaridae in the order Hemiptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced.