Kauaʻi record · KCA-IA-00158
Cypress Aphid
Cinara cupressi
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About Cypress Aphid
Cypress Aphid (Cinara cupressi) is a member of Aphididae in the order Hemiptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced.
Cypress aphid (Cinara cupressi) is an introduced conifer aphid documented from Kauaʻi. It forms colonies on branches and shoots of cypress-family trees, where it withdraws sap and produces abundant honeydew. Heavy infestations can cause yellowing and branch dieback on susceptible Cupressus, Juniperus, Thuja and related hosts, although Kauaʻi-specific damage levels are not quantified in the sources used here.
Kauaʻi occurrence evidence: Matsunaga, Howarth & Kumashiro (2019) Table 1 includes Kauaʻi island code 'Ka'; first-detection year shown as 2000; reported island distribution: Ha, Ka, Ma.
The cited occurrence evidence does not by itself establish current abundance or population trend on Kauaʻi.
Life cycle
Nymphs and winged/wingless adults; in well-studied seasonal climates females reproduce parthenogenetically through warm periods and sexual forms produce eggs as conditions cool. Several generations can occur per year.
Habitat
Cypress-family trees in landscapes, windbreaks, forestry plantings and other planted conifer settings.
Food and ecological role
Sap from twigs, branches and shoots of Cupressaceae including Cupressus, Juniperus and Thuja.
Reproduction
Live-bearing clonal reproduction during favorable periods; sexual egg stage can occur in seasonal populations. Kauaʻi expression requires local confirmation.
Movement
Winged adults disperse among host trees; infested nursery stock can move colonies.
Ecosystem role
Introduced conifer sap feeder and honeydew producer.
Threats and impacts
Potential branch dieback and tree decline under heavy infestation; sooty mold can develop on honeydew-covered foliage.
Monitoring
Inspect branch undersides and shoots for colonies, honeydew, sooty mold and dieback; identify host tree to species when possible.
Names and classification
- Scientific name
- Cinara cupressi
- Common names
- Cypress 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
- Cypress Aphid (Cinara cupressi) is a member of Aphididae in the order Hemiptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced.