Psyllids

We planted three lillypillies in the part of the garden that had to be cleared to enable the new fence to be constructed.    As it turned out, each of the three was a separate variety.

We were quite pleased with the burst of spring growth - but on one, many of the new leaves were suddenly affected by a whole lot of bumps.  I took a sample to the nursery, and the problem was immediately recognised as psyllid (Trioza egeniae).  Apparently this is tiny insect which sucks sap from the new leaves, causing little  lumps on the upper surface.

The nursery recommended cutting the affected leaves off and spraying the regrowth.    They also mentioned that there are lillypillies that not subject to these insects (and our other two seem to come into this category).

On reflection, it may have been better to have bought one of the nursery's tolerant plants and to have replaced our affected plant.   This is because the spray that he sold me wasn't cheap and apparently I'll have to apply it at intervals this year during the growing season - and perhaps every year (not sure).   Unfortunately, I didn't think quickly enough to do this, and anyway, the plant that is affected is the largest of the three.  Hence, for now, I'm in the trimming-and-spraying phase, but I'll be keeping an open mind about other options.