Species introCountry intro
Clam lerps (Spondyliaspis plicatuloides)
Tiny brown clam shells formed by a first stage psyllid on a mature leaf of a eucalyptus.
Each was about 3-4mm wide and the a community numbered about 40-50.
Scattered among the lerps were some discarded exuviae from early moulting.
Patches like these were found on approximately 10 leaves in total.
Tree was growing behind a local shopping mall.
The lerps are built from a sugary excretion out of the abdomen of the psyllid.
Spondyliaspis plicatuloides is species of Jumping plant lice, Lerp insects in family Psyllidae. Members of this family are sap-sucker and highly host specific. Adult psylloids resemble tiny cicadas. They are from 1 to 10mm in body length. They have two pairs of membranous wings held roof-like over the body. Their long antenna is 7-10 segmented. Their legs are modified for jumping. They insert their stylets, or mouthparts, into the plant and begin feeding and constructing a lerp, the protection cover... more
comments (2)