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Project Noah Nature School
Toumeyella mirabilis
Hemispherical insect that doesn't much resemble an insect. About as big around as a thumb tack. Bold markings and obvious "pits" are distinctive, as is the host plant association.
Found on a mesquite in typical Sonoran Desert habitat of prickly-pear cactus, mesquite.
These scales are tended by "acrobat ants" in the genus Crematogaster.
Spotted on Apr 24, 2009
Submitted on Jan 26, 2013
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