La Trobe University experts found the new species of native psyllid – a three millimetre-long insect that feeds on eucalyptus – at the university’s Bundoora campus.
It was found on river red gums and has been named Anoeconeossa bundoorensis.
Researcher Dr Martin Steinbauer and PhD student Kevin Farnier said the discovery of the insect in an area that had been revegetated with native trees was significant.
“Finding a new species of psyllid in an urban area demonstrates the conservation value that the preservation and growing of native species, especially those endemic to that area, can have in sustaining native biodiversity,” Dr Steinbauer said.
The Bundoora insect, which looks like a tiny cicada, has an unusual courting ritual.
Male insects shake or vibrate leaves to tell females of their presence, Dr Steinbauer said.
The females in response vibrate their own leaves to a different rhythm to signify they are female.
Dr Steinbauer said different species of psyllids have different vibrations so mating occurs only within specific species.
Dr Steinbauer, an Australian Research Council Future Fellow in the Department of Zoology, said 366 species of Australian psyllids had been recognised, but there were probably another 250 unreported species.
“Australia has very few native aphids, but we have psyllids instead,’’ Dr Steinbauer said.
“It is surprising that most research activity and funding goes to studying the exotic aphid species in Australia rather than the native psyllids that are so fundamental to our natural ecosystems.’’
