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Icerya purchasi
Soft bodies scale bug producing waxy secretions for protection.
Found on stems of Acacia
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.
5 Comments
Here is the most bizarre reproductive method of the only hermaphrodite insect!!!
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notroc...
Another one here
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/100...
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/784...
awesome shot
Interesting photo & info!