African Citrus Psyllid vs Wax Scale

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute African Citrus Psyllid Wax Scale
Scientific Name Trioza erytreae Ceroplastes destructor
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Triozidae Coccidae
Size 2-3 mm 3-5 mm
Habitat Orchards Heathland
Diet Herbivores Sap Feeders
Regions Sub-Saharan Africa, Madeira, Canary Islands, Iberian Peninsula (invasive) Oceania, Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

African Citrus Psyllid

A small brownish psyllid that causes distinctive pit galls on citrus leaves. It vectors the African form of citrus greening disease and is expanding its range into Europe.

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Did You Know?

Unlike the Asian citrus psyllid, this species prefers cooler climates and has been detected in Portugal and Spain, threatening Mediterranean citrus production.

Wax Scale

A scale insect that covers itself with a thick waxy dome for protection.

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Did You Know?

Its waxy covering can be nearly a centimeter thick and perfectly dome-shaped.