Potato psyllid

Bactericera cockerelli, also known as the potato psyllid, is a potato/tomato psyllid native to southern North America. As its name suggests, it is commonly found on potato and tomato crops, where feeding of the nymphs causes a condition called psyllid yellows, presumed to be the result of a toxin.

The pest has caused significant loss in potato yields during periods of major population increase. Maximum potato yield loss appears to be related to infestations occurring early in the growing season, or on crops with a significant leaf canopy by summer. The psyllids are not heat tolerant and it is thought they survive summer temperatures in crops with sufficient leaf canopy through summer to offer shade.