Kauaʻi record · KCA-IA-00163
Asian Sowthistle Aphid
Hyperomyzus carduellinus
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About Asian Sowthistle Aphid
Asian Sowthistle Aphid (Hyperomyzus carduellinus) is a member of Aphididae in the order Hemiptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced.
Hyperomyzus carduellinus, the Asian sowthistle aphid, is an introduced aphid documented from Kauaʻi. It is associated especially with sowthistles (Sonchus), where colonies occur on leaf undersides and flower stalks and may favor shaded or moist situations. Available species accounts describe little visible plant injury in many infestations, but Kauaʻi host use and abundance still need direct observation.
Kauaʻi occurrence evidence: Matsunaga, Howarth & Kumashiro (2019) Table 1 includes Kauaʻi island code 'Ka'; first-detection year shown as 1975; reported island distribution: Ha, Ka, Ma, Mo.
The cited occurrence evidence does not by itself establish current abundance or population trend on Kauaʻi.
Life cycle
Nymphs and winged/wingless adults; species-level seasonal cycle on Kauaʻi is unresolved.
Habitat
Sowthistle and related host vegetation, especially in shaded or moist disturbed sites.
Food and ecological role
Phloem sap, with Sonchus arvensis and related sowthistles documented as hosts.
Reproduction
Aphid clonal reproduction can support repeated generations; exact sexual cycle on Kauaʻi is not documented.
Movement
Winged adults disperse among host patches.
Ecosystem role
Introduced herbaceous-plant sap feeder.
Threats and impacts
Often low visible damage in published accounts; no major Kauaʻi impact is established.
Monitoring
Record Sonchus host species, colony density, winged forms, ant attendance and natural enemies.
Names and classification
- Scientific name
- Hyperomyzus carduellinus
- Common names
- Asian Sowthistle 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
- Asian Sowthistle Aphid (Hyperomyzus carduellinus) is a member of Aphididae in the order Hemiptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced.