Wildlife Spotting

Is this a scale or a direct extension of the exoskeleton into a dome. Martin,that is what i am trying to figure out.

Do you have an Elm tree in the vicinity?

This is one of the waxy scales. This one looks quite similar but I am not confident to call it the same species. If it is, the smaller ones are younger and there are no males, only parthenogenic females. http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_softbugs/BlackScale.htm

Cindy ,see if this is of use to you. http://homepage.ntlworld.com/keith.balmer/BNHS/focuson/scales/html/

I found a very sticky exudate on one of these. Also we started having these scales after the neighbor planted an elm tree in his backyard.

the red scale eventually does turn brown. I am assuming that the scale in your spotting is hardened and dead. in that case it might be safe to pick it up and see what is underneath it? I accidentally flicked off a scale . It was gently stuck to the tree. When it fell down ,i took a few pics. Did experience guilt.

http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/21244111 I encountered this 3 wks ago.Came to a conclusion with Arlanda's help.