Taro Root Aphid

Abstract

The taro root aphid, Patchiella reaumuri, is one of the most destructive insect pests in dryland taro. Crop damage up to 75% has been known to occur with Chinese taro and up to 100% with dasheen. The taro root aphid is host specific and apparently, it infests only taro and closely related plants of the family Araceae. In Hawaii, this species does not produce winged sexual forms, and reproduction is without fertilization by males. Taro root aphids have been observed to be associated with numerous attending ants, which probably moves the aphids around, enabling them to develop damaging populations. No effective insecticide is available for use against root aphids on taro. Spread of this insect occurs mainly by planting infested "seed pieces" (hulis).