Lerp -3

Description:

Conical sugar lerps formed by psyllid nymphs found on this gum tree. Pics #3 &4 were from two days ago. The lerps or sugary covers were smaller and separated from each other. Pics #1 & 2 are from today were the lerps seem to have grown in size and some have merged with each other. One of the lerps had a small opening suggestive of a recent evacuation. The eucalyptus leaf that bore these lerps showed a small cluster of ovoid yellow eggs. A couple were open today. Black ants were tending to the scale insects obviously enjoying bits of the sugary lerp? http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/26_12391.htm

Habitat:

Eucalyptus trees

Notes:

I assume that the yellow eggs are those of the psyllid scale insect. http://outernode.pir.sa.gov.au/forestry/... martinl had a spotting showing similar lerps and eggs on a gum leaf http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/888... - white lerp insect