Lesson plan
Psyllid
Psyllidae, the jumping plant lice or psyllids, are a family of small plant-feeding insects that tend to be very host-specific, each plant-louse species feeding on just one plant species (monophagous) or a few closely related plants (oligophagous). They are found mainly on perennial plant hosts. Together with aphids, phylloxerans, scale insects and whiteflies, they form the group called Sternorrhyncha, which is considered to be the most "primitive" group within the true bugs (Hemiptera). They have traditionally been considered a single family, Psyllidae, but recent classifications divide make them one of seven families within the superfamily Psylloidea. If we consider the broader definition there are an estimated 4000 species placed in around 70 genera. Some species are considered as pests in citrus and other horticultural crops. The narrowly defined family Psyllidae does not have unambiguous support of monophyly.
Article summary
Psyllidae, the jumping plant lice or psyllids, are a family of small plant-feeding insects that tend to be very host-specific, each plant-louse species feeding on just one plant species (monophagous) or a few closely related plants (oligophagous). They are found mainly on perennial plant hosts. Together with aphids, phylloxerans, scale insects and whiteflies, they form the group called Sternorrhyncha, which is considered to be the most "primitive" group within the true bugs (Hemiptera). They have traditionally been considered a single family, Psyllidae, but recent classifications divide make them one of seven families within the superfamily Psylloidea. If we consider the broader definition there are an estimated 4000 species placed in around 70 genera. Some species are considered as pests in citrus and other horticultural crops. The narrowly defined family Psyllidae does not have unambiguous support of monophyly.
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
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Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.