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Hackberry Petiole Gall Psyllid

Pachypsylla venusta

The Hackberry Petiole Gall Psyllid is a tiny insect that makes special galls on hackberry trees. These galls are like little homes for the psyllid babies, making them very unique!

Habitat: Urban areas, forests

Appearance

The Hackberry Petiole Gall Psyllid is a tiny insect, typically 1-3 mm long, with a greenish-brown to yellowish body. It has clear wings held tent-like over its back and somewhat resembles a miniature cicada or aphid. Its appearance is often overshadowed by the distinctive bumpy galls it creates on hackberry trees.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHemipteraFamilyAphalaridaeGenusPachypsylla
Hackberry Petiole Gall Psyllid
solitary trait badgeherbivorous trait badgeforest trait badgediurnal trait badge
Hackberry Petiole Gall Psyllid

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Adults spend winter hiding in tree bark cracks!

Baby psyllids live inside their bumpy plant homes.

The galls protect them like a tiny, leafy castle!

They only eat one type of tree, the hackberry!

Special abilities

Ability

Gall Architect

Hackberry Petiole Gall Psyllid can make plants grow special homes called galls because of chemicals they inject, that help them hide and protect their young.

Ability

Mighty Leaper

Hackberry Petiole Gall Psyllid can jump surprisingly far because of strong back legs, that helps them escape predators quickly.

Ability

Sap Sucker

Hackberry Petiole Gall Psyllid can drink tree sap because of a straw-like mouthpart, that helps them get food from deep inside plants.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
3-6 mm
Size
1-3 mm
Lifespan
20-45 days
Flight Speed
0.5 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Tiny sap-suckers that drink plant juices from hackberry trees.

Primary Foods

  • Hackberry tree sap
  • Hackberry leaves
  • Hackberry petioles

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

depends on

Hackberry Tree

Celtis occidentalis

Provides food and shelter for all life stages.

eats

Convergent Lady Beetle

Hippodamia convergens

Adults and larvae prey on psyllid nymphs.

eaten by

Black-capped Chickadee

Poecile atricapillus

Birds peck at galls to eat the developing psyllid nymphs inside.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch insects, as some can be delicate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hackberry Petiole Gall Psyllid's wingspan?

3-6 mm

How big is Hackberry Petiole Gall Psyllid?

1-3 mm

How long does Hackberry Petiole Gall Psyllid live?

20-45 days

How fast can Hackberry Petiole Gall Psyllid fly?

0.5 km/h

What does Hackberry Petiole Gall Psyllid eat?

Tiny sap-suckers that drink plant juices from hackberry trees.

Where is Hackberry Petiole Gall Psyllid usually found?

Urban areas, forests

How does Hackberry Petiole Gall Psyllid hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Hackberry Petiole Gall Psyllid have?

6

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