Life stages: eggs, nymphs, adults.
Feeding by adults does not cause significant damage to potato plants. However, the nymphs inject a toxin that causes “psyllid yellows.”
❚ Adults. Adults are about 2 mm long and resemble small cicadas. Their colour goes through gradual changes from light yellow to pale green when they first emerge, brown or green 2 or 3 days later, until they become grey or black with white markings when they are 5 days old. They jump rapidly when disturbed.
❚ Eggs. The eggs are very small, football-shaped, yellow to orange and borne singly on very fine stalks.
❚ Nymphs. Nymphs are flattened and scale-like, with a fringe of short spines. Younger nymphs are pale brown, turning green as they get older. Nymphs are usually found on lower leaves and move readily when disturbed. They secrete a white substance resembling granulated sugar or salt that collects on leaves beneath the feeding insects.
leaf margins
rosettes and the leaves roll upwards Affected
plants turn yellow the leaflets of red varieties
turn reddish or purple Aerial tubers may form
