As if the 1998 introduction of olive fruit fly into California weren't enough, UC Cooperative Extension scientists have now found shopping center olive trees in San Diego and Orange counties infested with olive psyllid, according to a story in Western Farm Press.
“Psyllids are some of the most fecund insects I have worked with,” the story quoted UCCE IPM entomology advisor Marshall Johnson.
(Fecund has two definitions: intellectually productive and fertile. No doubt that Johnson's meaning was the latter.)
The article said Johnson toured several San Diego County sites with infested ornamental olive trees in July, but found very low populations of the insect. He will repeat the tours this fall and again in April when the first generation is expected to appear.
“We need to learn all we can about this insect to anticipate its impact on California’s commercial olive production,” Johnson was quoted.
This photo, from the UC Statewide IPM Project, shows pale waxy material excreted by olive psyllid infesting olive leaves and stems.