Normark, B.B., Normark, R.D., Vovidea, A., Solís-Montero, L., González-Gómez, R., Pulido-Silva, M.T., Escobar-Castellanos, M.A., Dominguez, M., Perez-Farrera, M.A., Janda, M., & Cibrian-Jaramillo, A. 2017 Cycad Aulacaspis Scale (Aulacaspis yasumatsui Takagi, 1977) in Mexico and Guatemala: a threat to native cycads. BioInvasions Records 6(3)
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Notes: Cycad Aulacaspis Scale (Hemiptera: Diaspididae: Aulacaspis yasumatsui Takagi, 1977), which is native to Southeast Asia, is a devastating pest of some species of cycads in areas where it is invasive. In September 2016, it was reported to be present in Chiapas in southern Mexico, a country with 60 native cycad species, most of which are endemic and endangered. Here we report the presence of the pest in 6 additional Mexican states and in Guatemala. Surveys of natural populations and quasinatural sustainable nurseries in 4 states, including Chiapas, find no evidence that the pest has yet spread to natural populations. At present, it appears to be confined to cultivated cycads, presenting a window of opportunity for effective control.
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