LAS VEGAS - Eucalyptus trees in the Southwest are under attack from red gum lerp psyllid Glycsspis brimblecombei, according to a recent report by Southwest Trees & Turf (STT). Eucalyptus camaldulensis are being hit the hardest, with E. rudis also showing signs of RGLP-related deaths.

As of January 2000, no tree deaths from RGLP were reported, but by November of the same year, reports began surfacing in Southern California. The psyllid causes a repeating loss of foilage until the trees no longer have enough energy reserves to replace their lost leaves. In addition, RGLP kills eucalyptus trees by making them more vulnerable to the predations of the Eucalyptus Horned Beetle.