Lichtensia viburni - male still in test

Adult male of the Viburnum Cushion Scale (Lichtensia viburni), fully developed with tail appendages and all, but still sitting in the shelter of it's test. The test below has already been evacuated.

comments (2)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Wow, do those tails have a function? Posted 6 years ago
1. Pudding4brains
  
  Lion
  
  Hi Ferdy, I'm still trying to get my head around the development cycle, correct terminology etc. of these, so for now I'm just as puzzled as you are, but if I had to hazard a guess I would probably opt for balance when flying or some such (they seem to be quite clumsy flyers, even with two tails) ... but I really shouldn't be guessing out loud. Will try to save up some questions and pester someone more knowledgeable with those at some point ;o) Posted 6 years ago

The Viburnum Cushion Scale

The Viburnum Cushion Scale (Lichtensia viburni) is a soft scale insect (Coccidae), originally described from Viburnum but quite polyphageous and known as a pest of olive groves in the Mediterranean region.

Info 9 0

Similar species: True Bugs

Species identified by Pudding4brains