- Restricted distribution. South and Southeast Asia, Oceania. Present in Fiji, FSM, French Polynesia, Samoa.
- Cosmetic problem on mature trees; may set back seedling growth. Eggs laid on new leaves and shoots. Nymphs suck sap from underside of leaf injecting a toxin. Galls form around the nymphs. Adults emerge from gall, 2 mm long, winged with dark veins.
- Spread in wind, and plants in horticultural trade.
- Natural enemies: ladybird beetles, lacewing larvae. Possibly, parasitoid wasps.
- Cultural control: prune plants in nurseries or trees used as hedges (then apply insecticides).
- Chemical control: synthetic pyrethroid, malathion to protect new growth. Imidacloprid not recommended because of effect on bees (unless used outside time of flowering).
Pacific Pests, Pathogens and Weeds - Online edition
Pacific Pests, Pathogens, Weeds & Pesticides
Malay apple gall psyllid (366)
Leaf gall psyllid, Eugenia psyllid, Malay apple gall psyllid, rose apple psyllid. Psyllids are often referred to as 'jumping lice'.
Trioza vitiensis; previously, known as Metatrioza vitiensis.
AUTHOR Grahame Jackson & Mani Mua
Information from Hodkinson ID The biology and ecology of the gall-forming Psylloidea (Homoptera). In: TN Ananthakrishnan Biology of gall insects. Oxford University Press. (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270284681_The_biology_and_ecology_of_the_gall-forming_Psylloidea_Homoptera); and Au S (2013) Succession in galls on Syzygium malaccense and their impact on leaf aging. UC Berkeley. (https://cloudfront.escholarship.org/dist/prd/content/qt847704sb/qt847704sb.pdf); and from Swaine G (1971) Agricultural Zoology in Fiji. Her Majesty's Stationery Office. London. Photos 3&8 Gerald McCormack & Maja Poeschko, Cook Islands Biodiversity & Natural Heritage. (http://cookislands.bishopmuseum.org/).
Produced with support from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research under project HORT/2016/185: Responding to emerging pest and disease threats to horticulture in the Pacific islands, implemented by the University of Queensland and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.