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The psyllids or plant suckers are a group of sap

Sap is a fluid that circulates through a plant's vascular system, in a similar way to blood moving through our veins. Phloem sap carries the sugars produced in the leaves by photosynthesis down to roots and other storage organs, as well as carrying minerals and hormones. Xylem sap is watery and transports nutrients absorbed by the roots upwards to the rest of the plant. Some plants leak sap from wounds or pruning cuts, and this is known as bleeding. sucking true bugs (Hemiptera). There are more than 40 species found in Britain. Many species produce a white waxy secretion during the immature (nymph) stages and some cause distortion and galling to host plants. Most however, do not cause any significant damage to garden plants. More information on Psyllids from Britain can be found at .

Elaeagnus sucker

Suckers are growths that appear from the root systems of many trees and shrubs such as lilac, cherries, Robinia. On grafted plants such as roses, suckers can grow from below the graft union, on the rootstock material. Suckers are usually removed by gently pulling off when young. originates from eastern Asia and was first detected in Britain in 2002. It has spread rapidly and now occurs throughout most of England and parts of Wales. It was feared that this sucker would become a major problem for Elaeagnus however, the high populations seen soon after the insects arrival, no longer occur. This suggests that natural enemies may be having an effect on this insect helping to keep it at levels at which serious plant damage does not occur.

Plants with large populations of elaeagnus sucker

Suckers are growths that appear from the root systems of many trees and shrubs such as lilac, cherries, Robinia. On grafted plants such as roses, suckers can grow from below the graft union, on the rootstock material. Suckers are usually removed by gently pulling off when young. become covered with honeydew, a sugary excrement from the suckers, on which can grow a black sooty mould . New growth is often distorted and some damaged leaves may drop off; this type of damage is uncommon.

Eleagnus sucker

Suckers are growths that appear from the root systems of many trees and shrubs such as lilac, cherries, Robinia. On grafted plants such as roses, suckers can grow from below the graft union, on the rootstock material. Suckers are usually removed by gently pulling off when young. can affect the appearance of Eleagnus but does not usually reduce plant vigour and so control is not necessary. Plant suckers can be a part the biodiversity

The variety of living organisms (plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms) in a particular environment. Boosting the biodiversity of your garden has many benefits, including supporting wildlife, improving soil health and reducing the likelihood of pest and disease problems. a healthy garden supports.

• Often suckers do not affect the growth or vigour of plants and so should be tolerated
• Encouraging predators and other natural enemies of suckers, in the garden, such as birds , ladybirds , wasps and ground beetles will help keep damage to a minimum
• If necessary distorted leaves can be removed from the plant however, this may cause more damage than the insect

Adult elaeagnus sucker

Suckers are growths that appear from the root systems of many trees and shrubs such as lilac, cherries, Robinia. On grafted plants such as roses, suckers can grow from below the graft union, on the rootstock material. Suckers are usually removed by gently pulling off when young. are 2-4 mm long and have two pairs of have transparent wings with black shading which are held roof-like over their abdomen when at rest. The orange-yellow nymphs are wingless and flattened so the width of their bodies is much greater than the depth. Older nymphs have large pads on the margins of the upper thorax where the wings will develop.

It has several generations during the summer with the largest populations occurring on the new growth in the spring. It probably overwinters as eggs which hatch in mid-February.