Overview
The insect Cacopsylla pyricola is widely known as pear psylla. It is one of the most serious pests to pears as a result of its ability to damage fruit and develop resistance to many insecticidal agents, as well as its ability to transmit pathogenic plant viruses. Severity of infestation is dependent on the variety of the pear, as well as on other environmental and management variables; therefore, infestation damage varies greatly from case to case and also presents differences depending on the cropping region.
Main description
Adult pear psylla differs from aphids by their harder bodies, long antennae and powerful jumping capabilities (when disturbed). Young nymphs are yellow bodied and red eyed, and can often be found within a droplet of honeydew. Older nymphs are flat with a harder shell, are grayish-brown to black in colour and are normally very slow moving.
Scouting
When scouting, use a limb tap sample of 25 limb taps per/ha. to assess the adult population. Sample spur leaves for the first-generation eggs and nymphs and terminal leaves for adults for the rest of the season. Also, take note of any beneficial predatory or parasitoid insects on the beating tray. A combination of a contact and a systemic insecticide may be required for the population management of this pest, since the different developmental stages can also present a differential response to the products applied.
Crops
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Loquat
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Mayhaw
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Oriental Pears
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