Cycad Aulacaspis Scale
Aulacaspis yasumatsui
This record describes Aulacaspis yasumatsui (species). Recorded family: Diaspididae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
Introduced from Asia. First found in the US in the Miami area in 1996, has gradually moved northwards and is extremely damaging to sago palms, causing necrosis of individual fronds and eventual plant death.
Wikipedia reference for Aulacaspis yasumatsui: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aulacaspis_yasumatsui.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)
- Suborder
- Sternorrhyncha
- Superfamily
- Coccoidea
- Family
- Diaspididae (Armored Scale Insects)
- Genus
- Aulacaspis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Plants of the family Cycadaceae. It infests the roots as well as parts above ground.
Life History
Eggs hatch in eight to 12 days at 25°C. Average time from egg hatch to adult 28 days. Females go through three instars. Females can lay more than 100 eggs. Most females do no live longer than 75 days.
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Aulacaspis yasumatsui. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hemiptera (true bugs) includes over 80,000 described species across cicadas, aphids, leafhoppers, shield bugs, and bed bugs. Aphids alone cost global agriculture an estimated $2.5 billion annually in crop losses.
Ecological role of the group
Many Hemiptera are essential food sources for birds and predatory insects. Cicadas provide massive nutrient pulses during emergence events - a single Brood X emergence can involve trillions of individuals across 15 states.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) caused $37 million in apple crop losses in a single year in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region. Bed bug infestations in the U.S. increased by 500% between 2001-2010, costing the hotel industry hundreds of millions annually.
Recorded sources for this group: USDA, EPA, University research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Cycad Aulacaspis Scale (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Eric R. Eaton; Additional contributions by Hannah Nendick-Mason , Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Cycad Aulacaspis Scale
What is Cycad Aulacaspis Scale?
Cycad Aulacaspis Scale (Aulacaspis yasumatsui) is a species in the family Diaspididae, within the order Hemiptera.
What does Cycad Aulacaspis Scale eat?
The diet of the Cycad Aulacaspis Scale includes Plants of the family Cycadaceae. It infests the roots as well as parts above ground..
What is the life cycle of a Cycad Aulacaspis Scale?
Eggs hatch in eight to 12 days at 25°C. Average time from egg hatch to adult 28 days. Females go through three instars. Females can lay more than 100 eggs. Most females do no live longer than 75 days.