First Record of Acizzia jamatonica (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) in North America: Friend or Foe?

Authors

Michael D. Ulyshen, United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Athens, Georgia
Douglass R. Miller, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Systematic Entomology Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

9-2007

Citation

Florida Entomologist (September 2007) 90(3): 573

Comments

United States government work. Public domain

Abstract

Acizzia jamatonica (Kuwayama) (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Psyllidae) is reported for the first time in North America. Because the species is thought to feed exclusively on Albizia, it may prove to be an effective biocontrol agent against the invasive Albizia julibrissin Durazzini in the southeastern United States. Because A. julibrissin is also an ornamental plant of some importance, the arrival of A. jamatonica may not be welcomed by many. This is the fourth invasive species of Acizzia to be found in the United States.