Eugenia psyllid, Trioza eugeniae Froggatt

The eugenia psyllid, Trioza eugeniae Froggatt, is a native of Australia where it is called “pimple psyllid.” In Australia, T. eugeniae is not a problem and attracts little or no attention (Richard Tesson, personal communication). In May 1988, eugenia psyllid was discovered in California (Downer et al 1991) where, in certain areas, it has become a pest of the Australian brush cherry, Syzygium paniculatum Gaertn. ( =Eugenia myrtifolia Sims; Eugenia compacta Hort.). In California, the eugenia psyllid is primarily a problem of dooryard Australian brush cherry. Routine pruning and pesticide applications keep the psyllid population low in nurseries. Small numbers of eugenia psyllid were discovered in 1993 by Division of Plant Industry personnel in two Florida nurseries on Australian brush cherry. The populations were eradicated and no colonies of this psyllid seem to be currently present in Florida. Australian brush cherry (called bush cherry in California) has bright green, glossy foliage and is valuable in California for hedges, topiaries, arbors, and green walls up to 30 feet high. Several southern Florida nurseries offer it for sale although its use has been limited.