Knowledge of cycad aulacaspis scale (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) in panama

Abstract

The genus Cycas forms one of the oldest plant groups. Cycas are utilized as ornamental plants in urban gardens, so they are found in different cities’ landscapes. At present, Cycas are affected by serious infestations of Aulacaspis yasumatsui (cycad aulacaspis scale; CAS) that eventually lead to the plant’s death. Aulacaspis yasumatsui is native to Thailand and has spread in all continents as an invasive species. To determine the distribution of Aulacaspis yasumatsui in Panama, we sampled 68 sites in 24 municipalities in nine of ten provinces of the Republic of Panama. Our results suggest that Aulacaspis yasumatsui is spread in the low territories of the country; however, we did not observe CAS-infested cycads in the highlands of Panama (> 700 m). Besides the economic loss caused by the death of plants whose price in Panama ranges from tens to hundreds of dollars, Cycas serve as a food supplier to birds and bats in the trophic food web.