Pest profile

Crapemyrtle Aphid

Tinocallis kahawaluokalani (iNaturalist: Sarucallis kahawaluokalani) · Hemiptera: Aphididae[2]

Crapemyrtle aphids cover leaves with honeydew and black sooty mold, but they don't cause permanent damage.[1]

Small yellow crapemyrtle aphid with dark-marked wings on a green leaf
Small yellow crapemyrtle aphid with dark-marked wings on a green leaf. (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY) — via iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0

How to identify it

  • Nymphs are pale to bright yellow with black spiky hairs on the abdomen.[1]
  • All adults are winged, yellow, with black spots and two large black bumps, and wings held rooflike with black mottling.[1]

Look-alikes

Look-alikeHow to tell them apart
Other aphidsUnlike most aphids, every adult crapemyrtle aphid has wings.[1]

Where it lives

It occurs throughout the tropics, Asia, the southeastern U.S., Hawaii and anywhere crapemyrtle is grown.[1]

US map: public records from 19 states since 1990 (GBIF).

Biology and life cycle

Eggs hatch in early spring as buds break; females give birth to live young through spring and summer.[1]

Damage and signs

  • Honeydew grows sooty mold on leaves; there's no permanent damage or long-term loss of vigor.[1]

Health risk

It feeds on crapemyrtle sap; UF/IFAS mentions no risk to people.[1]

Control

Biological control

Lady beetles, lacewings and syrphid fly larvae feed on them, though populations often escape control in late July and August.[1]

Pesticides

Use insecticidal soap only as a last resort when populations escape natural control.[1]

Common questions

Why is my crapemyrtle covered in black mold?
Crapemyrtle aphid honeydew grows sooty mold on the leaves.[1]
Will it hurt my tree?
No; damage is indirect and not permanent.[1]

Sources

  1. University of Florida IFAS Extension (Featured Creatures), “Crapemyrtle Aphid, Tinocallis kahawaluokalani (EENY-365).” edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN663 (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. iNaturalist, “Sarucallis kahawaluokalani taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/506298 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-14. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.