Main characteristics to distinguish <i>Bactericera cockerelli</i> from other psyllids in New Zealand

Abstract

The tomato/potato psyllid Bactericera cockerelli (Sulc) (Hemiptera Triozidae) is found throughout most of New Zealand along with a range of native and other introduced psyllids all belonging to the superfamily Psylloidea The Psylloidea contains six families of which four are recorded from New Zealand (Psyllidae Calophyidae Homotomidae and Triozidae) Species belonging to Triozidae have trifurcate branching on the basal vein of the forewing in contrast to the other psyllid families in New Zealand which have bifurcate branching Bactericera cockerelli can be distinguished from other Triozidae species by the number of inner apical spurs on the tibiae of the hind legs (2) size and shape of the cubital cell in the forewing (short and compact) absence of long setae on vertex and dorsal thoracic surfaces and the lack of well developed genal cones Illustrations of these characters can be seen on insectwatchcom Usually body markings in insects are not suitable for identification purposes since these are likely to vary However the very distinct markings (white marginal and inner patch) on the vertex (dorsal surface of head) of B cockerelli seem stable and are a very useful characteristic for distinguishing this species from other psyllids in New Zealand