A Psyllid, Boreioglycaspis melaleucae Moore (Insecta: Hemiptera: Psyllidae)

The introduced tree Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S.T. Blake (Myrtaceae), known as paperbark, punktree or melaleuca, is an aggressive invader of many South Florida ecosystems, including the Everglades. Melaleuca is considered a pest because it displaces native vegetation and degrades wildlife habitat; it also creates fire hazards and can cause human health problems (Rayamajhi et al. 2002). The USDA/ARS, with federal and state permission, introduced the psyllid Boreioglycaspis melaleucae into Broward County, Florida, in February 2002 as a potential biocontrol agent of melaleuca. This document is EENY-300 (originally published as DPI Entomology Circular 410- updated for this publication), one of a series of Featured Creatures from the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: August 2003. EENY300/IN495: A Psyllid, Boreioglycaspis melaleucae Moore (Insecta: Hemiptera: Psyllidae) (ufl.edu)