The Leucaena psyllid is native to the Caribbean, Mexico and Central and South America. Moving as uninvited passengers on aircraft or in high altitude winds, they arrived in Hawaii in 1984. In 1987 they arrived in Sri Lanka, making their way to Burma, China and India in 1988. They undoubtedly will move into Africa. Nymphs cause the primary damage by sucking sap from young foliage.
Leaflets turn yellow, curl, and wilt.
The deposition of honeydew encourages the growth of sooty molds. Complete defoliation of terminal shoots can occur under heavy psyllid infestation. Trees usually survive unless they are subject to other severe stresses, such as a drought. Damage usually has been the most severe just after the psyllids invade an area. Trees were almost bare in Hawaii during the first year of attack, which coincided with a severe drought.