Parthenogenetic
Guides
Adelges piceae
Balsam Woolly Adelgid, Balsam Woolly Aphid
Adelges piceae is a small, wingless, sap-sucking insect native to Europe that has become a destructive invasive pest of fir trees (Abies spp.) in North America. Introduced to the United States around 1900, it has killed millions of trees across the continent. The species produces distinctive white, woolly wax secretions that protect adults and eggs. It is particularly damaging to balsam fir and Fraser fir, causing gouting, reduced growth, and tree mortality.
Aphis gossypii
cotton aphid, melon aphid, melon and cotton aphid, greenfly
Aphis gossypii is a small sap-sucking aphid and significant agricultural pest with a global distribution. It infests crops in at least three plant families, particularly Cucurbitaceae, Rutaceae, and Malvaceae, causing direct damage through feeding and indirect damage as a vector of plant viruses. The species exhibits complex life cycle strategies including both holocyclic (sexual) and anholocyclic (asexual) reproduction depending on geographic location and climate. It has developed resistance to multiple insecticide classes, complicating management efforts.
Arrhopalites caecus
globular springtail
Arrhopalites caecus is a parthenogenetic globular springtail in the family Arrhopalitidae. It is one of the few springtail species characterized for standardized soil ecotoxicity testing, with established laboratory culture protocols. The species occupies diverse habitats ranging from cave systems to forest leaf litter and has a broad global distribution. Its sensitivity to neonicotinoid insecticides has been quantified, though it presents culturing challenges including susceptibility to mite infestation.
Ceroplastes rubens
red wax scale, pink wax scale, ruby wax scale
Ceroplastes rubens is a soft scale insect in the family Coccidae, commonly known as the red wax scale or pink wax scale. Native to Africa, it has become widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions including Australia, Asia, and the Pacific Islands. The species is highly polyphagous, feeding on sap from over 193 plant genera in 84 families, with significant economic impact on citrus, mango, avocado, and ornamental plants. Adult females are covered in a distinctive hard, pink to pale red wax covering approximately 3-4 mm in diameter. Reproduction is primarily parthenogenetic, with 1-2 generations per year depending on climate.
Ceroplastes rusci
Fig Wax Scale
Ceroplastes rusci, commonly known as the fig wax scale, is a soft scale insect (family Coccidae) native to the Mediterranean region. First discovered in Florida in 1994-1995, it has since spread to numerous countries across six continents and is recognized as a significant agricultural and forestry pest. The species feeds on more than 94 genera from 52 plant families, with notable impacts on figs, citrus, grapes, and ornamental plants. Climate change modeling predicts expanding suitable habitat ranges through 2100, increasing its invasive potential in temperate regions.
Coccus hesperidum
brown soft scale
Coccus hesperidum, commonly known as the brown soft scale, is a polyphagous soft scale insect with a cosmopolitan distribution. It is a significant agricultural pest of citrus and greenhouse crops, feeding on plant phloem sap and excreting honeydew that promotes sooty mold growth. The species reproduces primarily through parthenogenesis, with females producing live young. It serves as host to numerous parasitoid wasps, which are important biological control agents.
Cryptococcus fagisuga
beech scale, woolly beech scale
Cryptococcus fagisuga is a felted scale insect and the initiating agent of beech bark disease, a complex disease affecting beech trees (Fagus spp.). Native to Europe, it was introduced to North America around 1890 and has since spread throughout the range of American beech. The insect feeds on phloem sap by inserting stylets into bark tissue, creating wounds that enable secondary infection by pathogenic Neonectria fungi. The combined damage from scale feeding and fungal cankers can girdle and kill trees over several years.
Demotina modesta
Asian Oak Leaf Beetle
Demotina modesta is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as the Asian Oak Leaf Beetle. Native to Japan and Korea, it has become established as an adventive species in the southeastern United States. The species is abundant on oaks and is parthenogenetic in at least part of its range, with no males recorded from North America. It is a summer breeder that likely hibernates as larvae or pupae.
Eriosoma lanigerum
woolly apple aphid, woolly aphid, American blight
Eriosoma lanigerum is a small phloem-feeding aphid native to North America that has become a major worldwide pest of apple cultivation. Adults are concealed beneath dense white, cotton-like wax secretions produced from specialized abdominal glands, giving the species its common name. The aphid induces gall formation on both aerial and root tissues of host plants, disrupting vascular transport and potentially killing trees. Populations are primarily parthenogenetic in most regions, though sexual reproduction occurs where American elm (Ulmus americana) is present.
Folsomia candida
Folsomia candida is a small, unpigmented, eyeless springtail species that has become one of the most widely used model organisms in soil ecotoxicology. Native to soil environments but now distributed globally through human-mediated dispersal, this parthenogenetic species reproduces without males and can be easily maintained in laboratory cultures on simple diets. It has been employed for over 40 years as a standard test organism for assessing pesticide and pollutant effects on non-target soil invertebrates, and has also served as a model for studying cold tolerance, circadian rhythms, decomposition processes, and soil fungal interactions.
Gilpinia hercyniae
European Spruce Sawfly
Gilpinia hercyniae, the European spruce sawfly, is a defoliating pest of spruce trees native to Europe and introduced to North America. The species caused severe outbreaks in eastern Canada and the northeastern United States during the 1930s, with estimated timber losses of 10 million cubic metres. Populations subsequently declined due to natural viral disease and introduced biological control agents. The species exhibits arrhenotokous parthenogenesis, with males rarely encountered.
Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis
greenhouse thrips, glasshouse thrip, black tea thrips
Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis, commonly known as the greenhouse thrips, is a polyphagous pest species in the family Thripidae. It is parthenogenetic with rare males, and reproduces rapidly in favorable conditions. The species is a significant agricultural pest of greenhouse crops, ornamentals, and fruit trees worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. It has been introduced globally and is subject to biological control efforts using parasitoids such as Thripobius semiluteus and Thripobius javae.
Isotomiella
Isotomiella is a genus of springtails (Collembola: Isotomidae) established by Bagnall in 1939. The genus contains edaphic (soil-dwelling) species with broad Holarctic distribution. The most studied species, Isotomiella minor, exhibits parthenogenetic reproduction and shows significant intraspecific genetic and physiological variation across urban and natural habitats.
Isotomiella minor
Isotomiella minor is an elongate-bodied springtail (Collembola: Isotomidae) with broad Holarctic distribution beyond the high Arctic. The species is parthenogenetic (thelytokous), with no males known. It exhibits remarkable cryptic genetic diversity, with up to nine molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) recognized that show genetic distances comparable to interspecific levels. Populations display adaptive variation in cold tolerance and body size correlated with habitat temperature.
Megalothorax
Megalothorax is a genus of minute springtails in the family Neelidae, order Neelipleona. The genus comprises approximately 14 described species. Members are characterized by extremely small body size and globular morphology typical of neelid springtails. The mitochondrial genome of M. incertus has been sequenced, revealing parthenogenetic reproduction and Wolbachia endosymbiont infection.
Neomyzus circumflexus
Crescent-marked lily aphid, Mottled arum aphid
Neomyzus circumflexus is a polyphagous aphid species known by two common names reflecting its association with lilies and arums. It is a significant greenhouse and ornamental pest, feeding on phloem sap and transmitting plant viruses. The species exhibits temperature-dependent immune responses to parasitoids and has been extensively studied for its nutritional physiology, including artificial diet requirements and symbiont dependencies.
Otiorhynchus cribricollis
Cribrate Weevil, Apple Weevil
Otiorhynchus cribricollis, commonly known as the cribrate weevil or apple weevil, is a flightless weevil native to the Mediterranean region. It has been introduced to Western Australia, where it is recognized as a significant pest of apple orchards and vineyards. The species reproduces through parthenogenesis, with all individuals being female. It has also been recorded from North America (USA), though its establishment status there is less documented.
Otiorhynchus ligustici
Alfalfa Snout Beetle, Lovage Weevil
Otiorhynchus ligustici is a broad-nosed weevil in the family Curculionidae, commonly known as the alfalfa snout beetle or lovage weevil. It is a flightless, parthenogenetic species native to Europe that has been introduced to North America, where it is considered a significant agricultural pest of alfalfa and other legumes.
Otiorhynchus ovatus
Strawberry Root Weevil
Otiorhynchus ovatus is a flightless weevil native to North America, occurring across Canada and the northern United States. The species reproduces exclusively through parthenogenesis—no males have ever been observed. Adults feed nocturnally on leaves and stems of host plants, while larvae feed on roots and crowns, causing significantly more damage. The species is a major agricultural pest of strawberries and other crops, with larvae capable of killing seedlings and young transplants.
Otiorhynchus singularis
Clay-coloured Weevil
Otiorhynchus singularis, the clay-coloured weevil, is a European native weevil that has been introduced to North America and the Azores. Adults feed on buds, shoots, and leaves of various woody plants, with documented damage to conifers, fruit bushes, and hops. The species is parthenogenetic, with females producing viable eggs without mating. It is primarily nocturnal and can be a significant pest in horticultural and forestry settings.
Penthaleus major
Blue Oat Mite, Winter Grain Mite
Penthaleus major, commonly known as the blue oat mite or winter grain mite, is a small earth mite in the family Penthaleidae. It is a significant agricultural pest of pasture grasses and grain crops, particularly oats, wheat, and barley. The species reproduces asexually through obligate thelytokous parthenogenesis and has a broad global distribution spanning multiple continents. Temperature strongly influences its development, with optimal population growth occurring around 12°C and no development possible below 6°C or above 24°C.
Phylloxera auburnensis
Phylloxera auburnensis is a gall-forming insect in the family Phylloxeridae, closely related to aphids. Like other phylloxerans, it induces abnormal plant growths (galls) on its host through chemical secretions that manipulate plant tissue development. The species is part of a genus containing several economically significant pests, including grape phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae, formerly Phylloxera vitifoliae) and pecan phylloxera species. Specific details about P. auburnensis hosts and distribution remain limited in available literature.
Phylloxera caryaecaulis
Hickory Gall Phylloxera
Phylloxera caryaecaulis is a small, soft-bodied, gall-forming insect closely related to aphids. It induces distinctive globular galls on hickory leaves and petioles, primarily affecting mockernut hickory (Carya tomentosa) and other hickory species. The species overwinters as eggs deposited on bark or near old galls, with nymphs emerging during bud break in spring to initiate gall formation. Unlike some related phylloxeran species that attack pecan shoots and nuts, P. caryaecaulis is primarily a leaf-gall former and is not considered economically damaging to its host trees.
Phylloxera castaneae
Phylloxera castaneae is a gall-forming insect in the family Phylloxeridae, closely related to aphids. The species induces abnormal plant growths (galls) on its host plants through chemical secretions that manipulate plant tissue development. Like other phylloxerans, it has a complex life cycle involving multiple generations and both parthenogenetic and sexual reproduction. The species name indicates an association with Castanea (chestnut) hosts, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented in available literature.
Phylloxera querceti
Phylloxera querceti is a gall-forming insect in the family Phylloxeridae, closely related to aphids. The species induces abnormal plant growths (galls) on oak species (Quercus), within which it develops and feeds. Like other phylloxerans, it has a complex life cycle involving both sexual and parthenogenetic generations, with overwintering eggs hatching in spring to produce fundatrices that initiate gall formation. The specific host associations and gall morphology distinguish it from congeners such as the economically significant grape phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae).
Profenusa thomsoni
amber-marked birch leaf miner, amber-marked birch leaf-miner sawfly
Profenusa thomsoni is a small sawfly native to the Palearctic realm that has become invasive in North America. Adults are black, approximately 3 mm long, and fly-like in appearance. The species is notable for its all-female parthenogenetic reproduction and for creating distinctive blotch-shaped leaf mines in birch foliage. Larval feeding damage can cause significant defoliation, though populations in parts of North America have declined due to parasitoid pressure.
Pseudocneorhinus bifasciatus
twobanded Japanese weevil, two-banded Japanese weevil
Pseudocneorhinus bifasciatus is an invasive broad-nosed weevil native to Japan that has established populations in the United States. First detected near Philadelphia in 1914, it is believed to have arrived via infested nursery stock. The species has since spread throughout the northeastern, midwestern, and southeastern United States, with documented presence in at least 11 states. It is recognized as a significant pest of ornamental and landscape plantings due to its broad host range.
Pycnoscelus
burrowing cockroaches
Pycnoscelus is a genus of burrowing cockroaches in the family Blaberidae, containing approximately 15 described species. The genus is distributed across India, China, Southeast Asia, and has been introduced to other regions including the Americas. The most studied species, Pycnoscelus surinamensis (Surinam cockroach), is notable for being parthenogenetic and serving as an intermediate host for poultry parasites.
Pygostolus
Pygostolus is a genus of braconid wasps in the subfamily Blacinae, comprising approximately eight described species. The genus is best known through studies of P. falcatus, an endoparasitoid of weevils in the genus Sitona. These wasps exhibit thelytokous parthenogenesis and develop as solitary endoparasitoids within the haemocoele of their hosts. The genus has been investigated for biological control applications, particularly against sweetclover weevil (Sitona cylindricollis), though effectiveness is limited by phenological asynchrony and diapause.
Reesa vespulae
Undertaker Carpet Beetle
Reesa vespulae is a small parthenogenetic dermestid beetle native to North America that has become a cosmopolitan pest of heritage collections and stored products. The species spreads globally through human commerce and can establish populations from a single female due to obligate parthenogenesis. It poses significant threats to museums, herbaria, and entomological collections, with larvae showing particular preference for Coleoptera and Lepidoptera specimens.
Russellaspis
oleander pit scale, fig pit scale
Russellaspis is a genus of armored scale insects (Asterolecaniidae) known primarily from the species R. pustulans, commonly called the oleander pit scale or fig pit scale. These insects are parthenogenetic, with no known males, and are significant agricultural pests on fruit trees and ornamental plants in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The genus is characterized by its pit-inducing feeding damage on host plants and its ability to complete multiple generations annually under favorable conditions.
Russellaspis pustulans
oleander pit scale, fig pit scale, Akee Fringed Scale
Russellaspis pustulans, commonly known as the oleander pit scale or fig pit scale, is a parthenogenetic scale insect in the family Asterolecaniidae. It is highly polyphagous, feeding on plants across 69 families with documented preference for fig (Ficus carica) and oleander (Nerium oleander). The species is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, completing 2-3 generations annually depending on environmental conditions. It is recognized as a pest of economic importance on fruit trees and ornamental plants, with feeding activity inducing characteristic pitting and galling on host tissues.
Saissetia coffeae
hemispherical scale, helmet scale, coffee brown scale
Saissetia coffeae is a polyphagous soft scale insect (Coccidae) with a cosmopolitan tropical and subtropical distribution. Adults are sessile, hemispherical, and helmet-shaped, ranging 2–4.5 mm in diameter depending on host plant. The species reproduces parthenogenetically; all individuals are female. It is a significant agricultural pest of coffee, citrus, avocado, fig, guava, and numerous ornamental plants, causing damage through phloem sap feeding and honeydew secretion that promotes sooty mold growth. Multiple parasitoid wasps and predatory insects are associated with natural population regulation.
Sciaphilus
Sciaphilus is a genus of weevils in the family Curculionidae, subfamily Entiminae, tribe Sciaphilini. The genus contains at least two described species: Sciaphilus asperatus and S. costulatus. Species are distributed across Europe, Northern America, and parts of Asia. The best-studied species, S. asperatus, is wingless, parthenogenetic, and polyphagous.
Uroleucon picridis
Ox-tongue Aphid
Uroleucon picridis, commonly known as the Ox-tongue Aphid, is a species of aphid in the family Aphididae. Like other members of the genus Uroleucon, it is a sap-sucking insect that feeds on plants in the Asteraceae family. The species exhibits parthenogenetic reproduction during the growing season, with colonies consisting entirely of females. It serves as an important food source for numerous predators including lady beetles, lacewings, flower flies, and spiders, making it a significant component of garden and agricultural food webs.