Apple sucker

Insect

Apple sucker

Cacopsylla mal (Schmidberger)

Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Psyllidae

Distribution: Southeastern Canada and south into New England and NY.

Photos

The nymph is pale yellowish green.

The nymph is pale yellowish green. Michael Quinn, Univ. of NH
B

Adult resembles a miniature cicada, greenish yellow to yellow in color but sometimes containing reds or browns, with eyes pale green to reddish brown, and long slender antennae; wings are transparent and iridescent (A). The nymph is pale yellowish green with green eyes, body short and broad with a flattened appearance, and rounded posteriorly, with prominent wing pads (B, arrow).

  • Crops Affected: apples

    Damage

    Attacks apple. Motile stages are "flush feeders" that suck sap from newer, tender growth, and secrete excess fluid as honeydew. This collects on leaves and fruits, provides a good medium for sooty mold growth, and can kill leaf tissue. Excessive feeding and injection of toxic saliva can cause wilting and premature leaf drop.

    Management

    Spring egg-laying can be suppressed by prebloom oil applications. Many predacious insects are their natural enemies, but many commercial production practices (applications of broad-spectrum insecticides, highly refined summer oil, or insecticidal soap) will provide incidental control.

    Similar Species

    The pear psylla (Cacopsylla pyricola) is closely related, but can be distinguished by its darker coloration and the fact that it does not occur on apple.

More Information on Similar Species

About

Resources

Events

Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).