Lerp (biology) explained

In biology, a lerp is a structure of crystallized honeydew produced by larvae of psyllid bugs as a protective cover. These animals are commonly referred to as lerp insects, of which there are over 300 species in Australia.^[1]

Lerps are energy rich, consisting mostly of starch, with some proteins and fats. They are eaten by flying foxes, possums and birds such as pardalotes and honeyeaters.

The word is derived from the Wemba Wemba word lerep.^[2] Lerps are traditionally eaten by Indigenous people, and can be stored as dry balls for future use.^[3]

References

• New Agricultural Pest for Southern California Redgum Lerp Psyllid . California Plant Pest and Disease Report . Department of Food and Agriculture, Division of Plant Industry . 1947-0657 . 1998 . 17 . 1–3 . 7 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190830233611/https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/ppd/PDF/CPPDR_1998_17_1-3.pdf . 2019-08-30 .
• T. . Dobson . On Laap, or Lerp, the Cup-Like Coverings of Psyllidae Found on the Leaves of Certain Eucalypti . Transactions of the Microscopical Society & Journal . 5 . 123–130 . 1857 . 10.1111/j.1365-2818.1857.tb02049.x .
• D.C. . Paton . The Importance of Manna, Honeydew and Lerp in the Diets of Honeyeaters . Emu . 80 . 4. 213–226 . 1980 . 10.1080/01584197.1980.11799277 . 1980EmuAO..80..213P .
• J.C.Z. . Woinarski . Small Birds, Lerp-Feeding and the Problem of Honeyeaters . Emu - Austral Ornithology . 84 . 3 . 137–141 . 1984 . 10.1071/MU9840137 . 1984EmuAO..84..137W .
• W.H.O. . Ernst . M.B.M. . Sekhwela . The chemical composition of lerps from the mopane psyllid Arytaina mopane (Homoptera, Psyllidae) . Insect Biochemistry . 17 . 6 . 905–9 . 1987 . 10.1016/0020-1790(87)90027-8 .
• R. . Faast . P.A. . Clarke . G.S. . Taylor . R.L. . Salagaras . P. . Weinstein . Indigenous Use of Lerps in Australia: So Much More Than a Sweet Treat . Journal of Ethnobiology . 40 . 3 . 328–347 . 24 September 2020 . 10.2993/0278-0771-40.3.328 . 221910447 .
• Book: Hollis, D. . Australian Psylloidea: Jumping Plantlice and Lerp Insects . Australian Biological Resources Study . 2004 . 9780642568366 .
• Anamika . Sharma . Bionomics and nutritional ecology of three species of Aphalaridae (Psylloidea) of varied guilds in Australia feeding on different species of Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) in central-western New South Wales . December 2014 . PhD . Charles Sturt University . 74, 77.

External links

• University of California Integrated Pest Management
• University of California Center for Biological Control
• Lerp Psyllid resources provided by Pacific Coast Arborists and Consultants

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2019-08-07. Lerps - One of nature's sweet offerings. 2021-10-10. Land for Wildlife. en-AU.
2. Book: Australian Aboriginal Words in English . Melbourne . Oxford University Press . 2006 . 1990 . 9780195540734 . 103.
3. Faast. Renate. Clarke. Philip A.. Taylor. Gary S.. Salagaras. Renée L.. Weinstein. Philip. 2020-09-01. Indigenous Use of Lerps in Australia: So Much More Than a Sweet Treat. Journal of Ethnobiology. 40. 3. 328–347. 10.2993/0278-0771-40.3.328. 0278-0771.