Cryptes baccatus (Maskell, 1892), or the "Wattle Tick Scale" is a scale insect know from Australia. It is quite unusual looking with a tick-like enlarged body sticking up from te substrate and blocking the sucking head from sight.
Similar species: True Bugs
By Ernst
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Uploaded Oct 9, 2018. Captured Jun 12, 2016 15:28.
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Scales are a diverse group of insects that live a relatively simple life. Most are small (1-5 mm) with their physical appearance varying dramatically between species. As sap suckers, they feed on plants and can be serious pests as their feeding weakens plants, which can then succumb to injury or disease. After mating, the females lay eggs, which hatch into nymphs. The nymphs crawl to a new location and then usually stay put in that spot for the remainder of their lives. Adult females are wingless, immobile, and without functioning legs. Males are winged, but are seldom seen and lack mouthparts as they merely live to mate.
The Wattle Tick Scale (Cryptes baccatus) resembles a shiny pearl or an engorged tick, depending on your perspective! They live in Australia, feed on acacias, and are tended by ants. Groups of wingless, legless, globular females can be found in large groups—encrusted on twigs. Larger than many other scale insects, the wattle tick scale can grow to 7 mm. They develop a waxy coat with an opening at the end so their ant attendants can take away the treasured, sugary honeydew (scale excrement). The ants feast on the honeydew and protect the scale insects from predators. After mating, the females swell up, turn brown, lay eggs, and die. Not a fancy life to be sure; but nevertheless, they serve their role in the ecosystem. {Spotted in Australia by JungleDragon user, Ernst} #JungleDragon Posted 6 years ago