| Bulk Discounts Prices | |
| Quantity | Price |
| 1 | $75.00 |
| 5 | $67.50 |
| 20 | $60.00 |
INFORMATION SHEET - PEST & DISEASES
I found this yesterday in my olive trees. It was wrapped between the green and brown olive flower shoot shown in the photo and adjacent leaf. It was held together by a frizzy sort of substance. Same as the previous ones observed, however previously I have found live grubs but this 1 is still in the cocoon?
Psyllids, also known as jumping plant lice or lerp insects, are sap-sucking insects related to whiteflies, aphids and scale insects.
In Australia, there are hundreds of species of psyllid, most of which are of not of any economic significance. Most psyllid species are host specific and live and feed only on a group of closely related plants or a single tree species), including the psyllids which feed on eucalypts.
Adult psyllids (2 - 8 mm long) hold their wings roof-like over their bodies and look a little like miniature cicadas. Although the adults are highly mobile, many species are poor fliers and rely on wind for dispersal over large distances. Both nymphs and adults feed on the sap from leaves or shoots. Female psyllids generally lay yellow, brown or black stalked eggs on leaves or buds, either singly or in clusters, rows or circles.
After hatching, the nymphs find suitable feeding sites where they remain, feeding and developing through five nymphal stages, before emerging as adults.
There may be two to six generations per year, depending on the species.
Infestation can be triggered by the stress of transplanting, or the young olive treess may have been kept in tubes or pots for too long. Unless the infestation is very severe, the olive trees will usually outgrow the problem. They have rarely caused much damage in the past, but they should be monitored carefully, as there is some evidence that their potential as pests in plantations may have been underestimated.
Psyllids feed by sucking sap from leaves and shoots resulting in premature leaf and flower drop and can have an impact on yields. Although this may cause local discoloration or malformation, they have little effect on their host plants when population levels are low. They can be damaging in large numbers.
The nymphs of some psyllids can produce excess sugary secretions called “honeydew”. These secretions attract ants and other insects that feed on honeydew. Sooty mould may also develop on these secretions, blackening the leaves and reducing photosynthesis.
Natural enemies include parasitic wasps, hoverfly larvae, lacewings, ladybird larvae, ants, and spiders. Many birds also feed on psyllids including honey-eaters, thornbills, pardalotes, and rosellas.
High psyllid populations collapse eventually either as a result of changes in the weather conditions or the depletion of suitable foliage due to feeding damage and premature leaf fall. Once the population starts to decline, the influence of natural enemies.
Insecticides can be useful to help control psyllids while the trees are small and the outbreak has been caught early. Usually by the time the damage is noticeable it is usually too late to take effective action. When new foliage appears monitor the new growth and take action if there are presence of psyllids.
Application of seaweed solution can assist with removing the sooty mould whilst helping the stressed tree.
RECOMMENDATION
DISCLAIMER: Please use fruit loosening agents with extreme caution. The Olive Centre does not make any recommendations as to rates or even the use of this product. Using fruit loosening agents can result in mass tree defoliation and crop losses.
Here is a recommendation to help guide you through some trial information to help you ascertain the correct application rates for trial.
Application recommendation:
Alternative recommendation:
