Bactericera cockerelli (the potato psyllid)

• tiny (~2 mm), sap-feeding insect in the order Hempitera (closely related to aphids and whiteflies)
• pest of crops in the nightshade family (Solanaceae), such as potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers, throughout western North America
• damages plants via feeding and by transmitting the bacterial plant pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso) 
• can also transmit CLso to wild solanaceous plants, though impacts on native plant health are unknown
• four unique genetic groups of potato psyllid  have been identified, with biological differences that may have major implications for the spread of CLso in crops, as well as native plants
• but for large swathes of the country, the distribution of these genetic groups and their patterns of association with wild vs. crop plants are largely unknown 
• with your help, we will remedy this problem by generating the highest resolution map to date of potato psyllid distribution, genetic diversity, and host plant associations

We are calling on volunteers to help us sample potato psyllids from both crops and native vegetation throughout western North America! 

Click the link below to let us know how you can contribute!

https://forms.gle/ko6jS7LzJ5gbv6kE8

Note: Before collecting outside of your property, please ensure you have the proper permissions. Permits are required for collecting insects in State Parks, National Parks, and National Monument lands. Permits are not required for collecting pest insects (such as potato psyllids) in National Forests and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. Collecting pest insects is generally permitted in County Parks, roadside easements, and other county-owned properties. However, please check with your local jurisdiction, as this may vary from location to location. If you plan to collect on private property (including UC Reserves), please ensure you have permission from the land owner before proceeding. 

Where to look for potato psyllids

Potato psyllids tend to feed on the undersides of young, actively growing leaves, making them a bit difficult to spot. However, during feeding they produce a sugary, white substance called honeydew. Thus, in your garden, you may notice this honeydew collecting on leaves, before you notice the psyllids themselves. Another clue may be the presence of their tiny, yellow eggs, sticking out from the edges of leaves on little stalks. In natural areas you are less likely to notice honeydew or eggs, because natural predators and parasites tend to keep potato psyllid populations from reaching a high density on native plants. In this case your best bet is to check plants for psyllids using an insect beating sheet. Scroll down for more info!