Star psyllid nymphs

Description:

The first pic shows several nymphs with their slightly flattened bodies and long white filamentous secretions of waxy honey dew. A single pale green adult can be seen amongst them.

Habitat:

Spotted on a Kurrajong tree (Brachychiton) in a suburban garden.

Notes:

Kurrajong trees are native to Australia and New Guinea. They are attacked by star psyllids which are hemipterans (plant lice) that have sucking mouthparts to feed off the tree sap. They excrete excess fluids as white crystalline waxy substance containing sugars and amino acids. They take different forms in the different species of psyllid. The Kurrajong psyllid produce long filamentous structures giving them a star shape, hence the name star psyllid.
The honeydew often attract bees, wasps and other insects that feed off them. Sooty mould grows on these sugary drops turning the leaves dark and blotchy.