Melaleuca psyllid (Boreioglycaspis melaleucae)

Biocontrol Agent Factsheet

Melaleuca psyllid is an effective biocontrol agent of the invasive melaleuca plant.

Common Names

Melaleuca psyllid

Relative effectiveness

This biological control agent is highly effective, well established and moves readily within the ecosystem. 

Where to use

Forests where melaleuca is found, but this biocontrol agent is already established and does not need to be released.

About melaleuca psyllid (Boreioglycaspis melaleucae

The melaleuca psyllid (Boreioglycaspis melaleucae) is an insect found throughout the range of M. quinquenervia in northeastern Australia. When adults and nymphs (immature insects) feed on melaleuca plants, they can kill young seedlings and cause large trees to lose their leaves, weakening the trees.

  • Native/Non-native: Non-native
  • Established: Yes
  • Region: Florida, US
  • Where established: In the United States, Florida.

Melaleuca psyllid Appearance

Boreioglycaspis melaleucae adults are small (<3mm) with pale yellow to white bodies and black venation on the wings. Females are usually larger than males and are often seen with a swollen abdomen. Nymphs hatch from eggs laid on leaves and stems and proceed through five instars. Nymphs hatch in 2-3 weeks. 

Close-up picture of an insect with clear wings and a tan body resting on a leaf with fine hairs.

Side view of a melaleuca psyllid.

Close-up photo of three tan insects with clear wings on a green leaf.

Adult melaleuca psyllids feeding on a leaf.

How to use Melaleuca psyllid for biocontrol

Biocontrol category: Classical—released once and persists

When to use: No additional releases required at this time

Rate: No additional releases required at this time

Pest stage: The psyllids attack new leaves of the melaleuca plant.

Mode of action: Weed-feeder. Both adult and larval psyllids attack new growth and feed on the cellular plant fluid by piercing the leaf surface and sucking out the fluid inside and around the cells. In laboratory trials, psyllids were able to kill potted plants when psyllid numbers reach high enough levels.  

Commercially available: No

About Melaleuca quinquenervia

Melaleuca is an invasive tree that impacts much of south Florida, especially areas within the Greater Everglades Ecosystem. It alters fire regimes, hydrology and shades out native plants in what should be a grass-dominated ecosystem.

Common Names

  • Punk tree
  • Cajeput
  • Paperbark tree
Thousands of small seedlings blanket a burned forest understory. These seedlings are from Melaleuca quinquenervia, an invasive tree from Australia

A sea of melaleuca seedlings emerge post-fire in Big Cypress National Preserve

A close-up of thousands of seedlings that blanket the pine forest floor after a fire burned.

A close-up of the melaleuca covered pine forest floor after a fire.

Author

Dr. Melissa C. Smith
USDA-ARS Invasive Plant Research Laboratory, Fort Lauderdale, Florida USA

Date: November 2021

Modified from: Boreioglycaspis melaluecae. Featured Creatures. University of Florida IFAS.

  • Balentine KM, Pratt, PD, Dray, Jr. FA, Rayamajhi MB, Center T. D. 2009. Geographic distribution and regional impacts of Oxyops vitiosa (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Boreioglycaspis melaleucae (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), biological control agents of the invasive tree Melaleuca quinquenerviaEnvironmental Entomology 38: 1145-1154.
  • Center TD, Pratt PD, Tipping PW, Rayamajhi M B, Van TK, Wineriter SA, Dray J, Purcell M. 2006. Field colonization, population growth, and dispersal of Boreioglycaspis melaleucae Moore, a biological control agent of the invasive tree Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) Blake. Biological Control 39: 363-374.
  • CenterTD, Pratt PD, Tipping PW, Rayamajhi MB, Van TK, Wineriter SA, Dray FA. 2007. Initial impacts and field validation of host range for Boreioglycaspis melaleucae Moore (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), a biological control agent of the invasive tree Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) Blake (Myrtales: Myrtaceae: Leptospermoideae). Environmental Entomology 36: 569-576.
  • Sideview of a melaleuca psyllid. Photo credit  Susan Wineriter, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org.
  • Adult melaleuca psyllids feeding on a leaf. Photo credit Susan Wright, USDA.
  • A sea of melaleuca seedlings emerge post-fire in Big Cypress National Preserve. 
  • A close-up of the melaleuca covered pine forest floor after a fire. 
Portrait of Amara Dunn
Amara Dunn-Silver

Senior Extension Associate

NYS Integrated Pest Management

Amara Dunn-Silver