March 26, 2025

Funding Opportunity: Biological Control Of Cycad Scale

Project Title: BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF CYCAD SCALE, AULACASPIS YASUMATSUI, ON CYCAS MICRONESICA

Proposed Target Amount: $251,354.00

Background:

Fadang or Micronesian cycad (Cycas micronesica), an endemic plant found on the islands of Guam and Rota, was the dominant plant and the most abundant ‘tree’ in Guam’s forests in 2000. The invasion of the cycad scale Aulacaspis yasumatsui in 2003 and the butterfly Luthrodes pandava (formerly known as Chilades pandava) in 2005 initiated an epidemic mortality of plant populations such that C. micronesica was listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act by the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) in 2015.

The CAS insect, Aulacaspis yasumatsui, was originally described from specimens collected on a Cycas sp., in Bangkok, Thailand, in 1972 (Takagi 1977). In Thailand, this armored scale is considered a pest of cycads, but is usually maintained in low densities by parasitoids (Tang et al. 1997).

The evidence is that the invasion by the A. yasumatsui scale insect is the primary cause of extinction risk. Establishment of a complex of effective biological control agents is being examined to develop a long-term strategy for protecting these plants.

The evidence is that the invasion by the A. yasumatsui scale insect is the primary cause of extinction risk. Establishment of a complex of effective biological control agents is being examined to develop a long-term strategy for protecting these plants.

If your organization is interested in this upcoming project or has questions, please direct any inquiries by April 1, 2025 to: Thelman Fontenot, Grants Officer, NAVFAC Marianas at e-mail: thelman.m.fontenot.civ@us.navy.mil.