Kauaʻi record · KCA-IA-00157
Spirea Aphid
Aphis spiraecola
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About Spirea Aphid
Spirea Aphid (Aphis spiraecola) is a member of Aphididae in the order Hemiptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced.
Spirea aphid (Aphis spiraecola) is an introduced, broad-host-range aphid documented from Kauaʻi. It feeds on tender growth of many fruit trees and ornamentals, including citrus and rosaceous hosts, and colonies produce honeydew that supports sooty mold. Winged forms allow rapid movement between plants, and in warm climates populations may persist through much of the year when suitable growth is available.
Kauaʻi occurrence evidence: Matsunaga, Howarth & Kumashiro (2019) Table 1 includes Kauaʻi island code 'Ka'; first-detection year shown as 1939; reported island distribution: Ha, Ka, Ma, Mo, Oa.
The cited occurrence evidence does not by itself establish current abundance or population trend on Kauaʻi.
Life cycle
Nymphs mature into wingless or winged adults; rapid parthenogenetic reproduction dominates during favorable conditions. Sexual/egg stages occur in some climates, but Kauaʻi seasonality should not be assumed from temperate populations.
Habitat
Gardens, orchards, nurseries and disturbed vegetation with suitable tender host growth.
Food and ecological role
Phloem sap from a broad range of woody and herbaceous hosts, including citrus, apple/pear relatives, spirea and many ornamentals.
Reproduction
Live-bearing clonal reproduction can generate multiple overlapping generations; winged females are produced under crowding or host decline.
Movement
Winged adults readily colonize new plants; nursery stock can transport colonies.
Ecosystem role
Introduced generalist sap feeder, honeydew producer and potential plant-virus vector.
Threats and impacts
Can curl or distort young growth and foul foliage/fruit with honeydew and sooty mold; severity varies with host and natural enemies.
Monitoring
Record host species, growing-tip injury, honeydew, winged forms and parasitoids/predators.
Names and classification
- Scientific name
- Aphis spiraecola
- Common names
- Spirea Aphid
- Family
- Aphididae
- Order
- Hemiptera
- Record type
- species
Kauaʻi occurrence and status
- Kauaʻi occurrence
- Present
- Origin
- Introduced
- Conservation status
- Not assessed
Process and seasonal context
- Seasonal description
- Spirea Aphid (Aphis spiraecola) is a member of Aphididae in the order Hemiptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced.