Biology of Trioza fletcheri Crawford (Hemiptera-Triozidae) a Gall Inducing Insect of Trewia nudiflora Linn. (Euphorbiaceae)

Abstract

The psyllid Trioza fletcheri Crawford (Hemiptera: Triozidae) is a significant pest of Trewia nudiflora which poses a serious threat to T. nudiflora in forested areas and roadside plantations of Saharanpur. The eggs were microscopic, elongated, yellowish-oval, and taper towards each end, measuring 0.2±0.06 mm in length and 0.1±0.03 mm in width. The eggs hatched after an incubation period of 3.7±0.51 days. The first, second, third, fourth, and fifth nymphal instars measured 0.3±0.04, 0.7±0.05, 1.0±0.03, 1.4±0.06, and 1.9±0.04 mm in length and 0.14±0.06, 0.4±0.05, 0.5±0.01, 0.9±0.02, and 1.0±0.03 mm in width, respectively. The total duration of the nymphal stage was 17.3±2.64 days. Males and females were 3.5±0.06 and 3.0±0.04 mm long and 1.0±0.04 and 1.0±0.05 mm wide, respectively.