Cacopsylla tobirae (Miyatake) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), a New Pest to North Carolina and a Threat to Japanese Pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira (Thunb.)) in the Southeast

The jumping plant louse Cacospylla tobirae (Miyatake) is reported for the first time in North Carolina, a record that also constitutes the first instance of the species found in the continental U.S. outside of California. C. tobirae, native to Japan, Korea, and Taiwan and specific to Pittosporum sp. (Pittosporaceae), was collected from Japanese pittosporum, Pittosporum tobira (Thunb.). Plants affected by this insect show symptoms of concern including leaf curling, stunting, and dieback; the insects also produce large amounts of honeydew which can promote the growth of sooty molds. Currently, the spread and ultimate impact of this species on ornamentally-planted pittosporum in the Southeast is unknown, as are the best methods for control.