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Cotton Cushion Scale

Icerya purchasi

Photo by MartinL
Published on Project Noah
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-37.7246, 145.38

Field Notes

Description:

Soft bodies scale bug producing waxy secretions for protection.

Habitat:

Found on stems of Acacia

Notes:

These are unique to Australia.
Also known as Australian mealybugs.
This specimen is female and males are scarce and tiny.
These can multiply parthenogenetically, without a male.

Reference Links:

Cotton Cushion Scale - Icerya purchasi

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (5)
MartinL
Here is the most bizarre reproductive method of the only hermaphrodite insect!!! http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2011/07/15/hermaphrodite-insects-fertilise-daughters-with-parasitic-sperm/#.URAy6x11_1E
MartinL
Another one here http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/10027755
CindyBinghamKeiser
These are actually found here too! Native but not unique to Australia. They arrived in California in the late 1960's on Acacia plants. I have a spotting at: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/7840747
KarenL
Interesting photo & info!

Tags

Photographed
PublishedNovember 26, 2011

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