Taxonomy and New Records of Psyllidae (Hemiptera) Species on Fruit Trees in Temperate Agricultural Regions

Abstract

Taxonomy and new records of Psyllidae (Hemiptera) species associated with fruit trees in temperate agricultural regions were investigated to update species diversity and distributional ranges. Field surveys were conducted across orchards cultivating major fruit crops, and psyllid specimens were collected using sweep netting and leaf sampling from infested shoots showing curling, honeydew deposition, and chlorotic symptoms. Taxonomic identification was performed based on adult morphological traits, including wing venation, genitalic structures, and nymphal characteristics, supported by available taxonomic keys. Results revealed the presence of several psyllid species, including previously unreported records from the surveyed regions, indicating an expansion of known geographic distribution. Species composition varied among host plants, suggesting host specificity and differential adaptation to fruit tree taxa. Relative abundance analysis showed dominance of a few economically important psyllid species capable of causing significant physiological stress to host plants. Seasonal variation influenced population occurrence, with peak abundance coinciding with active vegetative flush stages of fruit trees. The study highlights the importance of continuous taxonomic surveillance for early detection of invasive or expanding psyllid species in temperate agroecosystems. These findings contribute to updated biodiversity records and provide essential baseline information for developing integrated pest management strategies targeting psyllid pests in fruit production systems.