Discovery of Longistigma liquidambarus (Takahashi) in Japan

Abstract

Longistigma liquidambarus (Takahashi) was discovered feeding on Liquidamber formosana Hance at Taihoku and Nanto, Taiwan in 1925 by Takahashi. Its distribution is very limited and almost nothing about it has been reported since then. L. liquidambarus was first noted in Kurashiki, Japan in autumn 1990 and it was subsequently identified in Tsukuba, Kyoto, Osaka, Itami, Okayama, Kure, Nangoku, and Kochi. The Japanese specimens are compared with those from Taiwan. The life cycle of the species in Japan is not well known, but the aphid probably reproduces partheno-genetically all year around. Oviparous females and males have not been found yet. The distribution, seasonal prevalence and likely future spread in Japan are also discussed. © 1992, JAPANESE SOCIETY OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY AND ZOOLOGY. All rights reserved.