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The pear psyllid hibernates as an adult. Early in the year this
small pest becomes active. As soon as the average temperature is
over 10° C for two successive days, mating takes place and the
pear psyllid begins to lay its eggs. This usually takes place in
March. In April, the first larval stages are present in the crop.
There are 5 larval stages and each year 3 to 4 generations of the
pear psyllid develop. Climate (especially temperature) plays an
important role in the development rate. At an average temperature
of 10° C, the pear psyllid takes almost 100 days to complete
its life cycle. At an average temperature of 23° C, development
takes only a month. Eggs are 0.3 mm long and change from white to
yellow to orange. Larvae are orange-red to brown-black. As they
age, larvae become less mobile and secrete more honeydew. After
the 5th larval stage the pear psyllid sheds its skin and the 3mm,
brown-black, winged imago is formed.
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