Sarucallis

Shinji, 1922

crape myrtle aphid

Species Guides

Sarucallis kahawaluokalani(Crapemyrtle Aphid)

Sarucallis is a of aphids in the Aphididae. The sole described , Sarucallis kahawaluokalani, is commonly known as the crape myrtle . measure 1.2 to 1.8 millimeters in body length. The genus is native to Asia and has become widely distributed globally through the ornamental plant trade, tracking the spread of its plant, crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia spp.).

Sarucallis by no rights reserved, uploaded by Jesse Rorabaugh. Used under a CC0 license.

Sarucallis kahawaluokalani by no rights reserved, uploaded by Jesse Rorabaugh. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Sarucallis: /ˌsæɹuˈkælɪs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Distribution

Native to Asia (Japan, China, South Korea, Central Asia). Introduced to North America (western and eastern United States, Hawaii), Southern South America, the Caribbean islands, Europe (France, Italy, Sicily, Portugal, Spain), Africa (Congo), and Bangladesh. Reported in 35 countries worldwide.

Seasonality

emerge from when leaves begin to emerge on trees in spring. continues through summer. Sexually reproducing males and females are produced near the end of summer after the fall equinox. Eggs are laid under sloughing bark or in branch crevices and serve as the overwintering stage.

Host Associations

Lagerstroemia indica - primary Indian crape myrtle; primary plant for feeding and
Lagerstroemia fauriei - Parent of hybrid cultivars
Lagerstroemia indica × Lagerstroemia fauriei - Hybrid cultivars; reported to be more susceptible to than L. indica alone

Life Cycle

overwinter under sloughing bark or in branch crevices. Eggs hatch when leaves emerge in spring. First- females are and produce offspring without mating. Subsequent generations continue asexual through summer. Following the fall equinox, asexual females produce sexual males and females, which mate and lay eggs. Nymphs lack wings; typically have wings except for sexually reproducing females.

Behavior

Forms dense colonies on undersides of leaves. Uses to extract plant sap. Excretes honeydew during feeding, which accumulates on leaves, branches, and surfaces below infested trees.

Ecological Role

Serves as prey for diverse natural enemy including lady beetles (Coccinellidae), hover flies (Syrphidae), green lacewings (Chrysopidae), insidious flower bugs (Orius insidiosus), and ants (Formicidae). Honeydew production supports growth, which can reduce plant . May function as an alternative prey source supporting when other are scarce.

Human Relevance

Significant pest of ornamental crape myrtle trees in urban and landscape settings. Heavy cause leaf yellowing, premature leaf drop, reduced flowering, and black accumulation that impairs and aesthetics. Honeydew deposition creates nuisance conditions on vehicles, furniture, and other surfaces beneath infested trees. Management relies on cultural practices (pruning, proper siting), through natural enemies, and selective as a last resort. neonicotinoids are effective but pose risks to through pollen .

Similar Taxa

TinocallisFormerly classified under Tinocallis; Sarucallis was separated based on morphological and taxonomic revisions
Monelliopsis pecanisYellow pecan aphid; misidentified as a in some sources but actually a different with distinct associations
Monellia caryellaBlackmargined aphid; another that shares natural enemies with Sarucallis but feeds on pecan rather than crape myrtle

More Details

Endosymbionts

in Bangladesh harbor six bacterial endosymbionts: one obligate (Buchnera aphidicola) and five facultative symbionts (Candidatus Fukatsuia symbiotica, Regiella insecticola, Serratia symbiotica, Spiroplasma spp., and spp.). Notably, Hamiltonella defensa is absent, possibly due to minimal pressure in the study area.

Cultivar Susceptibility

Hybrid cultivars of Lagerstroemia indica × Lagerstroemia fauriei, widely planted for powdery mildew resistance, appear more susceptible to than L. indica cultivars alone. Trees surrounded by extensive impervious surfaces tend to more aphids, while water-stressed trees host fewer.

Management Hierarchy

Recommended management sequence: (1) and insecticidal soaps, (2) selective (flonicamid, flupyradifurone, spirotetramat) if oils fail, (3) neonicotinoids only as a last resort due to . Winter pollarding pruning removes .