Nipponaclerda biwakoensis is a scale insect originally described from Japan, and naturally occurring in China; in these countries it is most often associated with reeds in the genus Phragmites.[1] This species has become established (as of 2017) in the United States in the state of Louisiana, where it has rapidly become a serious pest of roseau cane, damaging over 80% of the reeds in some areas such as the Pass a Loutre Wildlife Management Area,[2] where it is referred to by the older common name Phragmites scale insect or the more recently-coined name, roseau cane mealybug.[3] Several species of parasitoid wasps are known to attack this scale,[1] with initial investigations focusing on the species Neastymachus japonicus, known only to attack this one pest.[2]

Impact

While Phragmites is often considered a noxious weed,[4] in Louisiana the reed beds, dubbed "roseau cane", are critical to the stability of the shorelines of wetland areas and waterways of the Mississippi River Delta, and the die-off of reed beds is believed to accelerate coastal erosion.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b Scalenet entry for Nipponaclerda biwakoensis
  2. ^ a b c Scientists identify pest laying waste to Mississippi River Delta wetlands grass
  3. ^ Roseau Cane Mealybug
  4. ^ USDA fact sheet