Sarucallis kahawaluokalani

(Kirkaldy, 1907)

Crapemyrtle Aphid

, the crapemyrtle , is a phloem-feeding pest native to Southeast Asia and first described from Hawaii in 1907. It has spread globally through the ornamental plant trade, closely tracking the distribution of its plant Lagerstroemia spp. The exhibits complex alternation between summer and sexual autumn generations producing . Heavy cause aesthetic and physiological damage through honeydew production and associated growth.

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

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Sarucallis kahawaluokalani: /sə.ˈɹuː.kə.lɪs.kə.hə.ˌwɑː.lu.oʊ.kəˈlɑː.ni/

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

Identification

Distinguished from other by its exclusive association with Lagerstroemia . Nymphs identified by pale to bright yellow coloration with distinctive black club-tipped abdominal hairs. show yellowish green body with pink to red and dark patches. Shed from molting nymphs often visible on infested leaves. Winged adults present throughout growing season except for wingless sexual females produced in autumn.

Images

Habitat

Urban and landscape environments where crapemyrtle trees (Lagerstroemia spp.) are planted. Trees surrounded by extensive impervious surface cover higher . Trees in shaded locations or with water stress support fewer aphids. Complex vegetation cover below trees supports greater natural enemy abundance.

Distribution

Native to Southeast Asia; first described from Hawaii in 1907. Reported in 35 countries across all continents except Antarctica. Established in North America (USA: Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, South Carolina, Texas), South America (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia), Europe (France, Italy, Sicily, Portugal, Spain), Asia (China, India, West Bengal, Japan, Korea Republic, Philippines, Taiwan), and Africa (Congo). First detection reported from Bangladesh (Dhaka).

Seasonality

emerge from when leaves begin to emerge on trees in spring. continues through summer. Sexual males and females produced after fall equinox, mate, and lay eggs for overwintering. Activity ceases during winter egg stage.

Diet

phloem feeder on Lagerstroemia spp. (crapemyrtle). Feeding occurs primarily on undersides of leaves. One record from Cinnamomum verum (true cinnamon) in Bangladesh suggests possible expansion, though primary association remains with Lagerstroemia.

Host Associations

Lagerstroemia indica - primary Indian crape myrtle; primary for feeding and
Lagerstroemia fauriei - primary Parent of hybrid cultivars; supports
Lagerstroemia indica × fauriei hybrids - primary Hybrid cultivars; appear more susceptible to aphids than L. indica alone
Cinnamomum verum - recorded First detection in Bangladesh on true cinnamon; possible expansion

Life Cycle

Holocyclic with distinct seasonal phases. as laid under sloughing bark or in branch crevices. Spring coincides with leaf flush. First- females are (parthenogenetic) and , producing offspring without mating. Multiple overlapping asexual generations through summer. Photoperiodic shift after fall equinox triggers production of sexual morphs (males and females). produces eggs that overwinter. Development includes nymphal instars with visible shed .

Behavior

Forms dense colonies on leaf undersides. Excretes honeydew during feeding, which accumulates on leaves, branches, and surfaces below infested trees. Aggregates in response to favorable plant conditions. via winged to new host trees.

Ecological Role

Herbivore that reduces plant photosynthetic capacity through direct feeding and indirect effects. Supports diverse of natural enemies in urban landscapes, including that may transition between this and other . Honeydew serves as food source for non-predatory insects such as blow flies and ants.

Human Relevance

Significant pest of ornamental crapemyrtle trees in urban landscapes. Causes aesthetic damage through honeydew deposition on vehicles, furniture, and other surfaces below trees. accumulation reduces and can cause premature defoliation and reduced flowering. Heavy may reduce plant market value. Management through , cultural practices, conservation, and selective when necessary.

Similar Taxa

Acanthococcus lagerstroemiaeCrapemyrtle bark scale; also infests Lagerstroemia but colonizes trunks and branches with white felt-like coverings rather than leaves, and lacks the yellow-green coloration and mobility of aphids.
Other Tinocallis/Sarucallis speciesRelated aphids in same group; distinguished by specificity to Lagerstroemia and the distinctive nymphal hairs and coloration described for S. kahawaluokalani.

More Details

Natural enemies

Documented include multicolored Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis), insidious flower bug (Orius insidiosus), syrphid fly larvae, assassin bug nymphs (Pselliopus barberi), and ants (Brachymyrmex patagonicus). Ants may also tend aphids for honeydew. Presence of diverse natural enemy may support in landscape settings.

Endosymbionts

harbor Buchnera aphidicola (obligate ) and five facultative symbionts: Candidatus Fukatsuia symbiotica, Regiella insecticola, Serratia symbiotica, Spiroplasma spp., and spp. Notably lacks Hamiltonella defensa, possibly associated with minimal pressure in some regions.

Management considerations

Winter pollarding (pruning) removes and reduces subsequent season . neonicotinoids effective but contaminate pollen at toxic concentrations to regardless of application timing. and insecticidal soaps recommended as first-line chemical options with reduced off-target effects.