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Lauritrioza alacris Bay Sucker
Family: Triozidae
(formerly Trioza alacris)

Triozidae species have the three main veins in the forewing arising from a common point, and have usually pointed forewings with radular spinules. Many cannot be separated without dissection, but host-plants can be useful.

L. alacris has long, sharply pointed wings, the outermost vein is short and curved, and only the last two antennal segments are dark. Its colouring varies dramatically with age, the dorsal surfaces darkening to black, with slightly paler longitudinal and transverse lines. No other psyllid is likely to be found on Bay. The pink-yellow nymphs form leaf-roll galls, in which they produce thick waxy secretions.

This long-introduced species is naturalised on Bay (Laurus nobilis) across at least England, and can be very abundant.

Adult: all year
Length 3.5-4 mm
Trioza alacris
Adult male: London (June 2012) ©Joe Botting
Trioza alacris
Trioza alacris
Adult male: London (June 2012) ©Joe Botting Adult male: London (June 2012) ©Joe Botting
Trioza alacris
Trioza alacris
Adult female: London (June 2012) ©Joe Botting Teneral adult female: London (June 2012) ©Joe Botting
Trioza alacris Trioza alacris
Late instar nymphs: London (June 2012) ©Joe Botting Gall on Bay leaf: London (June 2012) ©Joe Botting
Trioza alacris
Exuviae: London (June 2012) ©Joe Botting