Kauaʻi record · KCA-IA-00156
Stonecrop Aphid
Aphis sedi
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About Stonecrop Aphid
Stonecrop Aphid (Aphis sedi) is a member of Aphididae in the order Hemiptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced.
Aphis sedi, the stonecrop aphid, is an introduced aphid documented from Kauaʻi. It is closely associated with Sedum and other Crassulaceae, forming colonies on young stems, leaves and flower heads and producing honeydew. Elsewhere it can complete its annual cycle on stonecrop, with parthenogenetic generations through warm periods and sexual forms producing overwintering eggs in cooler climates; the exact Kauaʻi cycle still needs local confirmation.
Kauaʻi occurrence evidence: Matsunaga, Howarth & Kumashiro (2019) Table 1 includes Kauaʻi island code 'Ka'; first-detection year shown as 1997; reported island distribution: Ka, Oa.
The cited occurrence evidence does not by itself establish current abundance or population trend on Kauaʻi.
Life cycle
Multiple nymphal instars and wingless/winged adults; known elsewhere to reproduce parthenogenetically during warm periods and produce sexual forms and eggs in autumn where seasonality triggers them.
Habitat
Stonecrop and other Crassulaceae in gardens, nurseries, pots, walls and rocky ornamental settings.
Food and ecological role
Phloem sap from Sedum and other Crassulaceae.
Reproduction
Monoecious on crassulaceous hosts in well-studied temperate populations; Kauaʻi sexual-stage expression is unresolved.
Movement
Winged forms disperse among host plants; infested nursery plants are a likely pathway.
Ecosystem role
Introduced specialist sap feeder on Crassulaceae.
Threats and impacts
Dense colonies can distort shoots and coat plants with honeydew; island-scale ecological impact is not established.
Monitoring
Record Crassulaceae host, ant attendance, winged forms and plant distortion; do not confuse with Aphis gossypii without diagnostic evidence.
Names and classification
- Scientific name
- Aphis sedi
- Common names
- Stonecrop 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
- Stonecrop Aphid (Aphis sedi) is a member of Aphididae in the order Hemiptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced.