Abstract
Summary The psyllid Creiis lituratus Froggatt is the most significant defoliating pest of young Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden plantations growing in north-eastern New South Wales. This paper describes aspects of the life history of C. lituratus, information required to monitor psyllid populations and develop management strategies. The psyllid has five nymphal instars. Feeding by these nymphs causes considerable damage to the foliage of host trees. The different nymphal instars are distinguishable on the basis of body and lerp dimensions, colouration and wing bud morphology. Mean fecundity in captive populations was 95 eggs per female (observed range 130–148). Egg and juvenile development had threshold temperatures of 3°C and 10°C respectively, and the relationship between development rate and temperature was determined for both stages. Adult longevity was reduced at high temperatures, which affected fecundity and may account for the low psyllid population densities observed in plantations over summer. Parasitism of the nymphal instars by two species of Psyllaephagus wasps was observed. While parasitism may exceed 90% in field surveys it is uncertain what role it plays in regulating populations. No specialised parasitism or predation of eggs or adults was observed.
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