Hi Shannon,

Those are Boxwood Psyllids, Cacopsylla busi (Hemiptera: Psyllidae)

The following was taken from the Pennsylvania State University website at:

http://woodypests.cas.psu.edu/FactSheets/InsectFactSheets/html/Boxwood_Psyllid.html

The Boxwood Psyllid, Cacopsylla busi (Linnaeus) occurs wherever boxwoods are grown. It causes the cupping of leaves and may affect twig growth, but the damage caused is purely aesthetic and not as destructive as other boxwood pests.

Plants Attacked: Boxwood psyllid is a common pest of all boxwoods but the American boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) is most susceptible.

Insect Identification: The small, orange eggs are laid between the bud scales with only the tip of the egg protruding past the edge of the scale. The nymphs are yellowish and covered in a white waxy exudate. The adults are light green with transparent wings and approximately 1/16 inch long.

Life History: This insect overwinters as a tiny, orange egg deposited in the bud scales. The eggs hatch in the spring when the buds of the host plant open. The nymphs immediately begin to feed and develop a white flocculent material over their bodies. Winged adults appear by early June. After mating, the female deposits her eggs between the bud scales of the host plant.

There is one generation each year in the Northeast.

Damage Symptoms: The nymph stage damages the host plant by feeding on newly developing foliage, causing the leaves to become cupped. This cupping conceals the psyllid, and provides protection while feeding. Damage to the host plant is purely aesthetic.

Management Options: Chemical: insecticides should be directed towards the nymphs in early May before leaf cupping occurs.

Sprays: Treat when young psyllids are present, in early May. Formulations of cyfluthrin (sold as Bayer Advanced Vegetable and Garden Spray), bifenthrin (sold as Ortho Bug B Gon) and carbaryl (sold as Sevin), insecticidal soap, and pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide are labeled for psyllid management.

Systemics: Systemic insecticides like imidacloprid (sold as Bayer Tree and Shrub Insect Control) may be applied to the soil around boxwoods according to label directions. The insecticide is taken up by the roots and distributed throughout the plant in the sap. The application must be made in early April (2 to 4 weeks before the psyllids begin to feed). Watch for mite infestations when using these products.

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Dear Shannon, here's the response to your question:

Hi Shannon,

Those are Boxwood Psyllids, Cacopsylla busi (Hemiptera: Psyllidae)

The following was taken from the Pennsylvania State University website at:

http://woodypests.cas.psu.edu/FactSheets/InsectFactSheets/html/Boxwood_Psyllid.html

The Boxwood Psyllid, Cacopsylla busi (Linnaeus) occurs wherever boxwoods are grown. It causes the cupping of leaves and may affect twig growth, but the damage caused is purely aesthetic and not as destructive as other boxwood pests.

Plants Attacked: Boxwood psyllid is a common pest of all boxwoods but the American boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) is most susceptible.

Insect Identification: The small, orange eggs are laid between the bud scales with only the tip of the egg protruding past the edge of the scale. The nymphs are yellowish and covered in a white waxy exudate. The adults are light green with transparent wings and approximately 1/16 inch long.

Life History: This insect overwinters as a tiny, orange egg deposited in the bud scales. The eggs hatch in the spring when the buds of the host plant open. The nymphs immediately begin to feed and develop a white flocculent material over their bodies. Winged adults appear by early June. After mating, the female deposits her eggs between the bud scales of the host plant.

There is one generation each year in the Northeast.

Damage Symptoms: The nymph stage damages the host plant by feeding on newly developing foliage, causing the leaves to become cupped. This cupping conceals the psyllid, and provides protection while feeding. Damage to the host plant is purely aesthetic.

Management Options: Chemical: insecticides should be directed towards the nymphs in early May before leaf cupping occurs.

Sprays: Treat when young psyllids are present, in early May. Formulations of cyfluthrin (sold as Bayer Advanced Vegetable and Garden Spray), bifenthrin (sold as Ortho Bug B Gon) and carbaryl (sold as Sevin), insecticidal soap, and pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide are labeled for psyllid management.

Systemics: Systemic insecticides like imidacloprid (sold as Bayer Tree and Shrub Insect Control) may be applied to the soil around boxwoods according to label directions. The insecticide is taken up by the roots and distributed throughout the plant in the sap. The application must be made in early April (2 to 4 weeks before the psyllids begin to feed). Watch for mite infestations when using these products.

Be sure to read and follow all instructions on the label before using any pesticide.

Need to reply to the expert? Click the link below, or simply reply to this email.

Click here to view #0104495

Howard Russell, Entomologist

Plant and Pest Diagnostics

Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences

Michigan State University

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