Fortuitous Establishment of Rhyzobius lophanthae (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Aphytis lingnanesis (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in South Texas on the Cycad Aulacaspis Scale, Aulacaspis yasumatsui (Hemiptera: Diaspididae)

Authors

Daniel Flores, USDA, APHIS, PPQ, CPHST, Mission Laboratory, Edinburg, TX
Jason Carlson, USDA, APHIS, PPQ, CPHST, Mission Laboratory, Edinburg, TX

Date of this Version

12-2009

Comments

Published in Southwestern Entomologist Scientific Note, December 2009.

Abstract

The cycad aulacaspis scale, Aulacaspis yasumatsui Takagi, is currently found in China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Hawaii, and Florida (Germain and Hodges 2007). It was originally described from specimens collected on a Cycas sp., in Bangkok, Thailand, in 1972 (Takagi 1977). In recent years, finds have also been reported in California, Georgia, and Nevada (IUCN/SSC Cycad Specialist Group 2009). In 2006, severe outbreaks of cycad aulacaspis scale were reported in South Texas where sago palms, Cycas revoluta Thunb., adorn landscapes and are important ornamental plants for commercial nursery growers (Bográn et al. 2006). Of the more than 20 species of scale insects that occur on cycads in Florida, the most damaging species is cycad aulacaspis scale (Hodges et al. 2003).