Pests and diseases of forestry in New Zealand

 Foliage beating samples, identification of insects

IDENTIFICATION OF INSECTS COMMONLY FOUND IN FOLIAGE BEATING SAMPLES



From Forest Health News No. 76, July 1998


Recently there have been a considerable number of ‘aphid’ samples sent in for identification. It is good that most specimens have been sent in preservative (ethanol), however a great percentage of these specimens have been incorrectly identified, in the field, as aphids. A quick glance under a hand lens would easily help determine the insect order. Below are illustrations of insect orders commonly found in foliage beating samples. Figures: 1, aphids (Hemiptera); 2, psyllids (Hemiptera); 3, bark bugs or book lice (Psocoptera); 4, thrips (Thysanoptera); 5, spring tails (Collembola).

Psyllids (adults) and spring tails will readily jump when disturbed. Psocoptera are generally putty or dark brown in colour and will actively run around the foliage. Aphids are varied in colour and shape, if disturbed, some species will readily drop off the plant or move rapidly away, as does Essigella californica.
( Clive Appleton, Forest Research)