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Arytainilla spartiophila, broom psyllid (Invertebrate, Arthropoda: Mandibulata, Insecta (Hexapoda), Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha (Homoptera, aphids, scales, etc.), ), New Zealand: Naturalised

 

Cytisus scoparius, Scotch broom (Plant, Fabaceae), New Zealand: Naturalised

 

biological control (biocontrol)

 

Host comment: scattered flowering broom plants about, all covered in broom psyllids

Invertebrate comment: Thousands (quite possibly millions) of these psyllids were in the air around the Tors Scenic Reserve around midday, getting into our eyes and mouths and ears. Broom plants were drippng with them (see photos).

 

The collected individuals were just a few of the many pysllids on my clothes when we finished the walk.

 

Meurky Walk

Witch Hill to Bridle Path via The Tors

Port Hills

Christchurch / Banks Peninsula

Canterbury

New Zealand

 

naturewatch.org.nz/observations/342955

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Uploaded on October 18, 2012
Taken on November 29, 2008