title: Does cycad aulacaspis scale (Aulacaspis yasumatsui, Hemiptera: Diaspididae) play a direct role in causing soil phytotoxicity?
abstract: Cycad aulacaspis scale (CAS, Aulacaspis yasumatsui, Hemiptera: Diaspididae) was accidentally introduced to Guam in 2003, and has caused acute mortality of the dominant, endemic forest tree Cycas micronesica. A phytotoxic legacy in the soils beneath cycad trees killed by CAS over a period of about three years has been demonstrated. The origin of the toxicity may be large quantities of CAS-encrusted cycad leaf litter. We explore the possibility that a major contribution to this toxic legacy may come from the scale insects, not just from the plant material.
authors.affiliation: California Department of Food and Agriculture; Plant Pest Diagnostic Center; Sacramento; CA USA.
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.affiliation: College of Natural and Applied Sciences; University of Guam; UOG Station; Mangilao; Guam USA.
authors.forename: Thomas E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Marler
keywords: Cycas micronesica; Guam; cycads; invasive species; scale cover
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